By Latiifah Amusan
Mali has officially removed French as its official language, marking a significant change since gaining independence from France 63 years ago.
The decision came with the adoption of a new constitution in the West African country, as reported.
The constitutional court of Bamako confirmed the final results of a June referendum on the draft constitution, revealing an overwhelming approval rate of 96.91% from the voters.
Under the new constitutional provisions, French will still hold importance as the primary working language within Mali.
However, the country will now formally recognize all 13 national languages spoken within its borders as official languages.
This move is seen as a significant step towards embracing and preserving its diverse linguistic heritage.
Moreover, the change will see an additional 70 local languages, including Bambara, Bobo, Dogon, and Minianka, retain their status as important elements of Mali’s linguistic identity.
Some of these languages had already been granted national language status through a decree back in 1982.
This decision reflects Mali’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural diversity, as it embraces and elevates its various languages to national recognition. It signals a new chapter in the nation’s history, reinforcing its independence and asserting its unique identity on the global stage.
