Guinea-Bissau votes on handing more powers to president

Guinea-Bissau's military junta has put a constitutional amendment to a public vote, aiming to bolster the president's powers ahead of scheduled elections on December 6. This follows a series of constitutional amendments in other African nations like Zimbabwe and Chad, which have adjusted term lengths and executive powers in recent years.

In November, the army took control of Guinea-Bissau after a presidential election, replacing the head of state and halting the election process. Since then, the ruling junta has unanimously approved the amendment to shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system. Voters will now be asked if they agree with the new constitution approved by the National Transitional Council entering into force.

The move seeks to stabilize institutions before the upcoming civilian-led elections. However, the political atmosphere remains tense, with the opposition urging voters to boycott the referendum due to restrictions on public freedoms. The PAIGC, the party that led Guinea-Bissau to independence in 1974, expressed concerns about the suspension of political activities and the banning of party headquarters.

The proposed constitution aims to eliminate conflicts between the presidency and prime minister's office and prevent institutional deadlocks. Political analyst Malam Fati believes the reform will end frequent political instability, while others, including the Human Rights League, warn of the dangers of concentrating power in a single individual. The timing of the vote during the rainy season has also raised concerns, as some regions might be cut off by poor weather conditions.