What You Need to Know
• Voters in Guinea-Bissau will vote on August 30 to approve a new constitution.
• The referendum follows a military coup on November 26, 2025, that installed General Horta Inta-A Na Man as transitional president.
• The proposed constitution would significantly enhance presidential powers and alter the country’s electoral system.
Voters in Guinea-Bissau will decide on August 30 whether to approve a new constitution that would strengthen the presidency and reshape the electoral system. This referendum occurs nine months after the military coup on November 26, 2025, which led to General Horta Inta-A Na Man becoming the transitional president. Supporters argue that the reform will clarify authority and address political instability, while critics, including the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), contend it centralizes too much power in the presidency and have called for a boycott. The outcome will determine if the constitution approved by the National Transitional Council enters into force, paving the way for upcoming presidential and legislative elections on December 6.
Why It Matters
The proposed constitutional changes in Guinea-Bissau are significant as they follow a military coup that disrupted the electoral process. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has faced numerous political crises and coups, leading to instability. The current semi-presidential system shares executive power between the president and prime minister, but the new constitution would shift authority predominantly to the president. This change could have lasting implications for the governance and political landscape of Guinea-Bissau as it seeks to return to a fully elected government.
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