Guinea Bissau: Guinea-Bissau Referendum Tests Democratic Future

What the report says

Guinea-Bissau is facing a fresh political confrontation after voters approved a constitutional referendum that would significantly strengthen presidential powers, according to Deutsche Welle, distributed by AllAfrica. The vote took place on Sunday, less than 10 months after a military coup and about three months before presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 6.

Under the proposed changes, the president would gain authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet ministers, could dissolve parliament, and would oversee a legislature reduced from 102 seats to 65. Transitional authorities say the reforms are meant to improve stability and support a return to civilian rule in the West African country. The National Electoral Commission said the “Yes” side won with 70% of the vote and turnout above 50%, while the transitional council also claimed victory.

Opposition parties and civil society groups dispute the legality of the process, arguing that the referendum was organized by institutions created after the coup and lacked broad public consultation. Domingos Simões Pereira of the PAIGC and Fernando Dias Costa both questioned the vote’s legitimacy and turnout figures. Human rights advocates quoted in the report warned that the draft could concentrate too much power in the presidency and weaken parliamentary checks.

The referendum comes amid Guinea-Bissau’s long history of coups and unstable transitions. Its outcome now adds to debate over whether the country’s December elections will mark a genuine return to civilian rule or deepen concerns about democratic safeguards.