Guinea-Bissau plans constitutional referendum amid coup aftermath

Guinea-Bissau’s military junta is pushing a constitutional referendum on August 30, 2026 to adopt a new charter that consolidates power in the presidency and rolls back power-sharing arrangements, as part of a transition toward December elections. The draft would empower the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries, and potentially dissolve parliament, marking a shift from a semi-presidential or parliamentary framework. It would also shrink the parliament from 102 to 65 seats and reduce electoral constituencies, a change seen by observers as strengthening executive control and weakening opposition. Proponents argue the overhaul aims to stabilise institutions and restore civilian rule, while critics warn it could erode checks and balances and civil liberties. The vote comes amid a coup-recast political landscape and is intended to pave the way for presidential and legislative elections later in the year, though opposition groups have raised concerns about restrictions on political freedoms. Analysts caution that the reforms could tilt power decisively toward the presidency, with implications for democracy and governance in Guinea-Bissau.