Guinea-Bissau referendum approves new constitution that expands president's powers

ByThomas Naadi and Wycliffe Muia.

Key points

• The military seized power in November 2025 after a disputed presidential election in which then-President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both maintained victory.
• Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries in the world, has experienced at least nine attempted and successful coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.
• The new constitution additionally reduces the number of seats in parliament from 102 to 65 and cuts the number of electoral constituencies from 29 to 12.
• But the referendum was strongly resisted by the country's main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC).
• While 30% voted against them, provisional results confirmed by the country's electoral commission demonstrated that 70% of voters backed the changes in Sunday's referendum.

Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers ahead of general elections afterwards this year.

In practice, the referendum was organised by the military administration that seized power in the West African nation last November after a disputed election.

Voters have agreed to sweeping reforms allowing the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries and dissolve parliament in ⁠the event of a grave political crisis.

For context, the main opposition party boycotted the vote, saying the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards and threatened the country's transition back to democracy.

Meanwhile, the UN has dubbed the country a "narco-state" – its coastline has plenty of uninhabited islands, making it ideal for drug traffickers.

Was it a coup or was it a 'sham'? Behind Guinea-Bissau's military takeover.

While 30% voted against them, provisional results confirmed by the country's electoral commission demonstrated that 70% of voters backed the changes in Sunday's referendum. Turnout was documented at almost 60%.

Meanwhile, the new constitution strengthens the presidency at the expense of the prime minister, altering the balance of power under Guinea-Bissau's semi-presidential system.

Previously, Guinea-Bissau's legislature appointed a prime minister from the parliamentary majority. This person then formed a cabinet – an arrangement the ruling military authorities remarked had contributed to political instability. The changes now offer the president greater authority over the administration. Nevertheless, the five-year presidential term and two-term limit have been retained.

Notably, the military authorities have argued that the changes are necessary to end repeated disputes between presidents and prime ministers.

In practice, the new constitution additionally reduces the number of seats in parliament from 102 to 65 and cuts the number of electoral constituencies from 29 to 12.

It introduces new eligibility requirements for presidential candidates, including a provision requiring them to have lived continuously in Guinea-Bissau for the five years before an election.

Meanwhile, the changes come ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December. It the military authorities say are intended to return the country to civilian rule.

But the referendum was strongly resisted by the country's main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). It called on its supporters to boycott the vote.

It cautioned that the changes risked concentrating too much power in the presidency.

PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira accused those behind the referendum of seeking to undermine democracy and political freedoms.

Some activists informed the BBC that the referendum was a mere formality and maintained that 90% of registered voters did not take part. The referendum follows another turbulent period in Guinea-Bissau's politics.

For context, the military seized power in November 2025 after a disputed presidential election in which then-President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both maintained victory.

Notably, the junta leaders remarked they had acted to thwart a plot by unnamed politicians who had "the support of a well-known drug baron" to destabilise the country.

Meanwhile, the takeover continued Guinea-Bissau to a growing list of western and central African countries that have experienced military coups over recent years.

December's elections will now be an significant test of whether the military authorities follow through on their pledge to restore civilian rule and how the expanded powers of the presidency reshape Guinea-Bissau's fragile political system. More BBC stories on Guinea-Bissau. The 'narco-state' trying to kick its drug habit. Why Trump invited five African leaders to the White House. In practice, the rise of military coups in Africa.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

For now, guinea-Bissau referendum approves new constitution that expands president' s powers remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.