Key facts
- Guinea-Bissau voters approved a new constitution in a referendum.
- The new constitution grants expanded powers to the president, including appointing/dismissing the prime minister and cabinet.
- The military government that seized power in November organized the referendum.
- Provisional results indicate 70% support for the constitutional changes.
- The opposition party boycotted the vote, citing concerns about democratic safeguards.
Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers, a move orchestrated by the military government that seized control in November. The referendum results, with 70% in favor and 30% against, pave the way for enhanced presidential authority ahead of general elections scheduled for December.
The approved reforms empower the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, establish or dissolve ministries, and dissolve parliament in times of severe political crisis. This shift alters the nation's semi-presidential system, strengthening the presidency at the expense of the prime minister and legislature. The ruling military authorities argued these changes are necessary to combat political instability, which they claim has stemmed from disputes between presidents and prime ministers in the past.
However, the referendum faced strong opposition from the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the country's main opposition party. The PAIGC boycotted the vote, asserting that the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards and could undermine democracy. PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira accused proponents of the referendum of attempting to erode democratic freedoms. Some activists also claimed that the referendum was a mere formality with low voter participation.
Guinea-Bissau, a nation grappling with poverty and a history of political instability, including numerous attempted coups since its independence in 1974, is designated a "narco-state" by the UN. The new constitution also reduces the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65 and cuts electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. New eligibility requirements for presidential candidates have been introduced, including a five-year continuous residency stipulation. The five-year presidential term and two-term limit remain unchanged. The upcoming December elections will be a critical test for the military's commitment to restoring civilian rule and for the future impact of the expanded presidential powers on the country's fragile political landscape.