Thousands march against referendum, extra powers for Mali president

Malians take to the streets to protest against a planned referendum on constitutional changes in Bamako, Mali July 15, 2017. REUTERS/Idrissa Sangare

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Thousands of Malians took to the streets on Saturday to protest against a planned referendum on constitutional changes that would give extra powers to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, create new regions and recognise the Tuareg's ethnic homeland.

Mali's government has delayed the vote, which was originally planned for last week, but still plans to go ahead with it this year. Activists are unsettled by provisions that would enable the president to nominate a quarter of the Senate and remove the prime minister at will.