Guinea Bissau: Guinea-Bissau Votes in Referendum On Giving President More Powers

In Guinea-Bissau, voters will participate in a referendum on Sunday that may grant the president increased powers prior to a general election aimed at reinstating civilian rule later this year. This vote takes place less than ten months after a military coup that placed the country under junta rule. The junta argues that the amendment is necessary to stabilize institutions before the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for December 6th.

However, the political atmosphere remains tense, with the opposition calling for a boycott due to restrictions on public freedoms.

The ruling junta has unanimously approved a constitutional amendment to transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system. Now, the public will be asked to vote on this change. If approved, the new constitution would abolish the system where the prime minister is chosen from the parliamentary majority, a system that has often resulted in problematic power-sharing arrangements.

Additionally, it would enable the head of state to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and government members, as well as dissolve parliament.

On Sunday, voters will be asked to answer "yes" or "no" to the question: "Do you agree with the entry into force of the new constitution approved by the National Transitional Council?" Following the military takeover in November, General Horta N Tam was appointed as the transitional president under a charter that prevents him from seeking re-election.

The coup occurred shortly after a presidential election, which ousted then-president Umaro Sissoco Embalo and suspended the electoral process. Embalo had previously dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament following the 2023 legislative elections, claiming it was due to an attempted coup. Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest nations globally, has experienced five coups and numerous attempted coups since 1974.

This referendum follows a series of other African countries, such as Zimbabwe and Chad, that have recently amended their constitutions to extend term lengths, remove age limits, or strengthen executive powers.