Guinea-Bissau’s military-led government has announced that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at expanding presidential powers will be put to a nationwide referendum on August 30.
The decision was confirmed in a decree issued on Monday, several months after the military seized power in November, overthrowing the country’s president just days after a presidential election and suspending the electoral process.
Since taking control, the junta has endorsed plans to replace Guinea-Bissau’s parliamentary system with a presidential model of governance.
If approved by voters, the amendment would grant the president the authority to appoint the prime minister and cabinet ministers, as well as dissolve parliament.
The referendum will take place ahead of elections scheduled for December 6, which are intended to restore civilian rule. Citizens will first decide whether to endorse the proposed constitutional changes before voting in the national polls.
The military leadership has also reaffirmed that transitional leader General Horta N’Tam will not be eligible to contest the presidential election, a position first announced in December.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced chronic political instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, including five military coups and several attempted takeovers.
Under the current constitutional framework, the prime minister is selected from the parliamentary majority, a system that has often resulted in fragile coalition governments and prolonged political deadlock.
Former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was removed from office during the 2025 coup, had governed by decree after dissolving the opposition-controlled parliament in December 2023.
