Bissau-Guineans are heading to the polls this Sunday to vote on a new Constitution that proposes transforming the current semi-parliamentary system into a strengthened presidential regime. The text submitted to the referendum grants the Head of State the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and the government, as well as to dissolve Parliament.
The question posed to voters is: “Do you agree with the entry into force of the new Constitution approved by the National Transitional Council?”. Voters must respond with “yes” or “no”. In Bissau, polling stations opened around 7 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 5 p.m.
The main change proposed by the new text concerns the organization of executive and legislative powers. The current semi-parliamentary system features a Prime Minister drawn from the parliamentary majority. The new Constitution aims to transfer more prerogatives to the President of the Republic, who would be able to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and government members, and dissolve Parliament.
Transitional authorities present this reform as a way to end recurring conflicts between the presidency and the government and to strengthen institutional stability. The text was unanimously adopted in January 2026 by the National Transitional Council (CNT), whose 65 members were appointed by the military transitional authorities led by General Horta N’Tam.
However, the project is contested by parts of the political class and civil society, who denounce an excessive concentration of power in the hands of the president. The PAIGC, the historic party of Guinea-Bissau’s independence, has called for a boycott of the referendum, citing its organization in a context of “restricted public freedoms”.
The Bissau-Guinean League for Human Rights has also criticized the project. Its president, Abubacar Ture, believes that the presidential regime sought by the transitional authorities risks concentrating “all powers in the hands of a single man”.
The referendum takes place in a specific political context. Guinea-Bissau has been led by the military since November 26, 2025, when the electoral process was interrupted on the eve of the announcement of the provisional results of the presidential and legislative elections. This constitutional vote is intended to precede the presidential election scheduled for December 6, 2026, which is expected to mark the return of civilians to power.
A former Portuguese colony in West Africa, Guinea-Bissau has been marked by significant political instability since its independence in 1974, having experienced five coups d’état and numerous coup attempts.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-30 16:23:41 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/afrique-de-louest-les-bissau-guineens-appeles-a-se-prononcer-sur-une-nouvelle-constitution-renforcant-les-pouvoirs-du-president/