{
  "id": 5013097,
  "title": "Guinea-Bissau approves new constitution that expands presidential powers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/guinea-bissau-approves-new-constitution-that-expands-presidential",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T01:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/guinea-bissau-approves-new-constitution-that-expands-presidential-powers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Guinea-Bissau has upheld a revised constitution in a referendum, granting the president enhanced authority and modifying electoral procedures, according to provisional results revealed on Tuesday. This transformation comes ahead of the scheduled presidential election in December. The West African nation, currently under the leadership of military officers who overthrew the government in a coup last November, cast their vote on Sunday on amendments that enable the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, establish or disband ministries, and disband parliament during a dire political crisis. Previously, the legislature appointed a prime minister who then formed a cabinet.\n\nThe referendum was supported by 70% of voters, while 30% opposed, based on the provisional results disclosed by the National Electoral Commission. Around 544,060 citizens participated, constituting nearly 60% of registered voters. Some polling stations in the capital, Bissau, were notably vacant, as reported by a Reuters witness. Local residents revealed that some were unaware of the referendum or its intent.\n\nThe main opposition party, PAIGC, urged its followers to abstain from the referendum, arguing that the process lacked sufficient political and institutional safeguards. PAIGC leader Domingos Simoes Pereira conveyed his disapproval through a video, stating that the proponents of the referendum aimed to \"snuff out our freedom and bury our democracy.\"\n\nThe new constitution will reduce parliament's size to 65 seats from 102 and decrease electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. Additionally, presidential candidates must have resided continuously in Guinea-Bissau for the past five years. The military coup that took place last year was the ninth in West and Central Africa within a five-year span, contributing to the ongoing instability in Guinea-Bissau. The country is notorious for being a major cocaine trafficking hub and has a history of military interventions.",
  "summary": "Guinea-Bissau has approved a new constitution in a referendum, provisional results showed on Tuesday, expanding presidential powers and reshaping electoral rules ahead of a presidential election scheduled for December.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Guinea-Bissau approves new constitution expanding presidential powers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/guinea-bissau-approves-new-constitution-expanding-presidential-powers",
        "published": "2026-09-01T19:57:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Guinea-Bissau referendum nods to expansion of presidential powers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/guinea-bissau-referendum-nods-to-expansion-of-presidential-powers",
        "published": "2026-09-01T19:59:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}