Guinea-Bissau Approaches Crucial Constitutional Referendum

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Guinea-Bissau is moving toward a high-stakes constitutional referendum on August 30, putting the country's political transition under renewed national and international scrutiny.

Voters will decide whether to approve proposed constitutional changes that would move the country away from its parliamentary system toward a presidential model, giving the president greater authority to appoint the prime minister and government and dissolve parliament.

The vote comes after the military seized power in November 2025 following the disputed presidential election and suspended the electoral process. The transitional authorities have announced plans for general elections on December 6, 2026.

The referendum has become a defining moment for Guinea-Bissau's transition back toward civilian rule. Supporters argue that constitutional reform could create a more stable executive system, while critics fear that greater presidential powers could weaken institutional checks and balances.

Regional pressure is also mounting, with ECOWAS appointing Senegal as a mediator and calling for a more inclusive political transition.

With the referendum only days away, the outcome could determine the political framework under which Guinea-Bissau holds its next elections.