Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved constitutional amendments that significantly expand the powers of the presidency, with provisional results showing approximately 70% support. The referendum, held on August 30, drew over 55% turnout, representing an estimated 544,060 participants. These changes mark the nation’s first constitutional revision since modifications more than three decades earlier that transitioned the country away from one-party socialist governance.
The constitutional reforms introduce several structural changes to the government. Parliamentary seats will be reduced from 102 to 65, while electoral constituencies will decrease from 29 to 12. New requirements will mandate that presidential candidates have maintained continuous residence in the country for a minimum of five years before the election, a provision believed to restrict candidacy among diaspora-based political figures who maintain significant support bases abroad.
The outcome is anticipated to facilitate elections scheduled for December, with hopes that they will contribute to political stabilization. Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political turbulence since gaining international recognition of independence from Portugal, having faced at least 10 coup attempts in the intervening period, approximately half of which proved successful. The most recent military intervention occurred following last November’s disputed presidential election, in which both candidates claimed victory while accusing the other of electoral violations. The military subsequently established a transitional governing council chaired by Gen Horta Inta-A Na Man, a former military chief of general staff.
Opposition figures have expressed concerns about the constitutional changes. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, the leading opposition faction, had called for a boycott of the referendum, characterizing it as fundamentally incompatible with democratic principles. Party leader Domingos Simões Pereira characterized the proceedings as a continuation of the November military action. Supporters of the constitutional amendments, however, have suggested that the changes will provide stability for elected officials to fulfill their mandates without obstruction.
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