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Guinea-Bissau’s military government has fixed August 30 for a national referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand the powers of the country’s president.
The decision was announced in a government decree published on Monday, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 6 as part of efforts to restore civilian rule.
The proposed amendment, approved by the ruling junta, Horta N’Tam, seeks to replace the country’s parliamentary system with a presidential model. If endorsed by voters, the new constitution would empower the president to appoint the prime minister and cabinet members, as well as dissolve parliament.
According to the decree, the referendum was scheduled after the country’s Supreme Court gave a favourable opinion on the proposal.
“Considering the proposal for a national referendum for which the Supreme Court has issued a favourable opinion, the transitional president, General Horta N’Tam, has set (the date) for August 30, 2026,” the decree stated.
The military seized power in November 2025, days after a presidential election, overthrowing the government and suspending the electoral process.
The junta has since maintained that transitional President General Horta N’Tam will not contest the planned presidential election.
Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated political instability since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, including five military coups and several attempted takeovers.
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.
