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Guinea-Bissau Sets Aug. 30 Referendum on New Constitution

8/30/2026

39 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Transitional authorities in Guinea-Bissau will hold a referendum on August 30 to approve a constitution expanding presidential powers.
The draft lets the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister, cabinet and ministries.
PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira calls the referendum an absolute farce and urges a boycott.
The vote follows the November 2025 coup and precedes the December 6 elections, raising legitimacy concerns.

History

Historical Context

The 30 August 2026 constitutional referendum announced by Guinea-Bissau’s military junta aims to broaden presidential powers, recalling the November 1999 vote that let the president appoint the prime minister and cabinet. That referendum, overseen by the United Nations Mission in Guinea-Bissau and the African Union, earned 71 % approval from 1.2 million voters, a result that later led donors such as the World Bank to condition aid on dialogue.

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Story summary

Transitional authorities in Guinea-Bissau will hold a referendum on August 30 to approve a constitution expanding presidential powers.
The draft lets the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister, cabinet and ministries.
PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira calls the referendum an absolute farce and urges a boycott.
The vote follows the November 2025 coup and precedes the December 6 elections, raising legitimacy concerns.

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