LMali has officially dropped French as an official language, following a constitutional referendum that redefined the country’s linguistic framework. Under the new constitution, French is downgraded to a working language, while 13 national languages now hold official status.
The move aligns Mali with Burkina Faso, whose transitional government recently approved a constitutional revision that also strips French of official recognition. In both countries, French will continue to be used for administration and international communication, but the emphasis shifts to promoting indigenous languages as symbols of sovereignty and cultural identity.
Mali’s referendum, held in June 2023, passed with 96.9 percent approval, though turnout was about 38 percent. The reform is seen as part of a wider regional trend away from France’s influence in West Africa, amid growing anti-French sentiment and closer ties with non-Western partners.
Burkina Faso’s changes, adopted by its junta in late 2023, are pending full constitutional enactment. Together, the two nations join a movement to prioritize national languages while diminishing the privileged status French has held since colonial rule.
