Guinea-Bissau Referendum Expands Presidential Power

Guinea-Bissau voters approved a referendum that substantially expands presidential authority, according to results announced by the National Electoral Commission. The “yes” campaign received 70 percent of the vote in Sunday’s referendum, although final results must still be confirmed by the Supreme Court. The vote took place less than 10 months after the military seized power and ahead of a presidential election scheduled for December 6, which is intended to restore civilian rule. The proposed constitutional changes end the previous system in which the prime minister came from the parliamentary majority. They also allow the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and government members, as well as dissolve parliament. The military junta says the changes will stabilize Guinea-Bissau’s institutions and prevent the power-sharing disputes that have affected the country’s political system. The referendum was controversial because it was organized by an unelected transitional government. Opposition groups called for a boycott, citing restrictions on public freedoms, while parts of the political class and civil society strongly rejected the constitutional rewrite. Although the electoral commission described the process as transparent and credible, turnout appeared low and irregular at polling stations visited by AFP, with heavy rain also discouraging participation. General Horta N’Tam, the transitional president and junta leader, urged young people to vote in large numbers. He is barred from seeking office under the transitional charter. The military took power last November, overthrowing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo shortly after a presidential election and suspending the electoral process. Guinea-Bissau has experienced five coups and several attempted coups since independence, making the referendum part of a broader and fragile transition toward civilian government.

Guinea-Bissau’s voters have approved a referendum proposing major changes to the country’s political system, including expanded presidential powers and a reduction in the size of parliament from 102 to 65 seats. The National Electoral Commission reported that the “Yes” side won 70% of the vote, with turnout above 50%. Transitional authorities say the reforms are designed to create stability and prepare the country for a return to civilian government after a military coup less than 10 months ago. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for December 6. The referendum’s legitimacy is strongly disputed. Opposition parties and civil-society groups argue that institutions created by the military have no democratic authority to rewrite the constitution. They had urged voters to boycott the vote, and opposition figures challenged both the legal basis of the referendum and the official turnout figures. Domingos Simoes Pereira of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde said the process was unconstitutional because it lacked a democratic mandate. Fernando Dias Costa, who contested the annulled presidential election, said the low participation demonstrated public opposition to political changes that had not been debated openly. The proposed constitution would establish a much stronger presidential system. The president would appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers and could dissolve parliament. Supporters believe this would resolve recurring conflicts between the presidency, government and legislature. Critics, including Guinea-Bissau Human Rights League leader Bubacar Ture, warn that it would concentrate excessive power in the presidency, weaken parliament and undermine constitutional oversight. Ture also criticized the secretive drafting process and the absence of consultation with political parties, civil society and traditional and religious authorities. The referendum follows a disputed 2025 presidential election, the military takeover and Guinea-Bissau’s long history of coups and attempted coups. The December elections are intended to restore civilian rule, but the controversy surrounding the referendum raises doubts about whether the transition will strengthen democratic institutions or entrench presidential power. The developments form part of a broader African debate over constitutional reforms that critics say increase executive authority.

Guinea-Bissau voters have approved a new constitution that critics say will weaken democracy by expanding presidential powers and reshaping the country’s political system before elections scheduled for December. Provisional results indicate that about 70% of voters supported the changes in the referendum, while turnout reportedly exceeded 55%, representing an estimated 544,060 people. The constitutional reforms will reduce parliament from 102 seats to 65 and cut the number of electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. They will also require presidential candidates to have lived continuously in Guinea-Bissau for at least five years before an election. Opponents believe this provision is aimed at diaspora-based politicians who have significant political support abroad. The referendum takes place amid prolonged political instability. Guinea-Bissau, whose independence from Portugal was recognised in 1974, has experienced at least 10 coup attempts, half of which succeeded. The latest military intervention followed disputed presidential elections in November 2025, when both candidates claimed victory and accused the other side of electoral malpractice. The military then established a transitional ruling council led by Gen Horta Inta-A Na Man, a former chief of general staff. Na Man said the purpose of the referendum was to ensure that whoever wins the next election can complete their mandate without obstruction. Nelson Moreira, the council’s second vice-president, argued that the previous constitution had contributed to instability. The leading opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), boycotted the referendum and described it as a democratic farce. Its leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, said the vote represented a continuation of the coup that followed the disputed elections. The article presents the constitutional changes as a potentially stabilising measure according to the transitional authorities, but as a threat to democratic competition according to opponents.