Guinea-Bissau votes on stronger presidency

Voters in Guinea-Bissau will decide on August 30 whether to approve a new constitution that would significantly strengthen the presidency. The vote comes nine months after the military seized power and installed General Horta Inta-A Na Man as transitional president, and just over three months before elections scheduled for December 6, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

Supporters argue the reform would provide clearer lines of authority and address years of political instability. Critics contend it concentrates too much power in the presidency and have questioned the drafting process. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), a main opposition party, has rejected the referendum and called for a boycott.

The referendum will determine if the constitution approved by the National Transitional Council (CNT) enters into force, providing the framework for a return to elected government.

Proposed constitutional changes

The proposed constitution would substantially alter Guinea-Bissau's existing semi-presidential system. The president would gain greater control over the government, including the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members. The president would also chair the Council of Ministers and have the authority to create or abolish ministries.

Parliament would be reduced from 102 seats to 65. The number of electoral constituencies would be cut from 29 to 12.

New requirements for presidential candidates would be introduced. Candidates would need to have lived permanently in Guinea-Bissau for the five years preceding an election. They would also have to pay a 50 million West African CFA franc deposit, approximately $90,000. Political parties sponsoring candidates would need at least 5,000 members, including at least 300 in each region. The proposed constitution would also establish a Constitutional Court.

Context and controversy

The process began after the November 26, 2025, military coup. Presidential and legislative elections had been held three days earlier. The military seized power while the electoral process was still under way, one day before results were due. Horta, then army chief of staff, became transitional president. The CNT, established by the transition charter, approved the proposed constitutional text on January 13, 2026.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated coups and political crises since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Under the current system, executive authority is shared between the president and prime minister. Supporters of the reform argue that giving the president clearer authority could reduce institutional conflicts. Critics fear it would weaken parliament and other checks on government.

Critics have also raised concerns about the reduction in electoral constituencies, arguing it could affect political representation. The new financial and membership requirements have drawn criticism for potentially making it harder for smaller political movements to compete. Opposition parties and civil society groups have criticised the drafting process during a military-led transition as insufficiently inclusive.

Timing and implications

The referendum precedes the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December 6. Voters will decide the constitutional framework before choosing the leaders to govern under it. The transition framework bars the transitional president and prime minister from running in the December elections.

A yes vote would bring the proposed constitution into force. The next elected president would have considerably greater authority. A no vote would reject the proposed text, leaving constitutional reform unresolved. The dispute centers on how much power the presidency should hold when the country returns to elected government.