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

What the report says

Voters in Guinea-Bissau are set to take part in a constitutional referendum on Sunday that could expand the president’s powers, according to Radio France Internationale’s report published via AllAfrica. The vote comes in military-run Guinea-Bissau less than a year after the army seized power, and it is being presented by the junta as part of a transition back to civilian rule.

The proposed changes would move the country from a parliamentary system to a presidential one. As described in the report, the new framework would let the head of state appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members, and dissolve parliament. Supporters in the transitional authorities say the amendment is intended to stabilize institutions before presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 6 December.

The political environment remains tense. The opposition has called for a boycott, saying the referendum is taking place amid limits on public freedoms. The report says voters will be asked whether they accept the new constitution approved by the National Transitional Council.

Guinea-Bissau, a poor West African country with a long history of coups and attempted coups, has seen repeated disruptions to civilian government since independence. More broadly, constitutional changes that strengthen executive authority have been a recurring issue in parts of Africa, especially where military or transitional authorities are seeking to reshape the political system before elections.