Voters in Mali is to cast ballots on Sunday in a referendum on changing the constitution that could pave the way for elections and a return to civilian rule, with initial results expected within 72 hours of voting.

Regional bodies and the United Nations view the referendum as an important test of the military council's willingness to commit to the transitional path and a nationwide democratic process.

The military council, which seized power in two coups in 2020 and 2021, promised to hold the referendum as part of the transition to democracy under pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

"The time has come for us to reaffirm our commitment to the new Mali," interim President Asimi Guetta said in a televised speech on Friday while opponents say it will give the president more powers.

The draft constitution includes amendments proposed in previous failed efforts to revise the constitution. Supporters hope that these amendments will strengthen democracy and heal divisions, including the creation of a second parliamentary chamber to enhance representation from all parts of Mali. Source: Saba

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Saturday, June 17, 2023, pledged support to South Africa after President Cyril Ramaphosa's elite security guards were detained in Poland while en route to Russia ahead of the Head of State's peace mission.

In a statement, Mutua said he had spoken with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor about the fiasco, who assured him the matter had been sorted. 

"She has informed me it has been sorted. I have assured her of our support & congratulated SA for the peace initiative," Mutua said. 

The Polish Foreign Ministry on Friday said the plane carrying the security personnel and press crew of the South African President was detained due to the presence of “dangerous materials” and “undeclared persons” on board. 

Latest reports indicate that the 120 security personnel from the Presidential Protection Service (PPS), SAPS task force and other specialised units will return to South Africa on Sunday after the plane chartered by the South African government failed to get flight clearance to fly to Russia.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders will meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg in Russia on Saturday afternoon.

He met the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday.

The security personnel was supposed to be deployed to both Kyiv and St Petersburg ahead of Ramaphosa's arrival to ensure his safety.

But after a series of shambolic logistical failures, the whole contingent, including the head of the PPS, General Wally Rhoode, was left stranded aboard a chartered SAA Airbus at Warsaw's Chopin Airport for more than 26 hours while the president was in Ukraine. 

Polish authorities said they refused the South Africans entry to Poland because of faulty and incomplete permits related to the cargo of arms the aircraft was carrying.

Now flight clearance to depart Warsaw for St Petersburg was also refused, meaning that the SAA A340-300, which left Waterkloof Air Force Base on Wednesday night with 120 security personnel and a full airline crew, will return to Pretoria without fulfilling a single mission objective. 

Russia and Ukraine have been at war for 15 months now.   PD - Additional reporting by Agencies.