Guinea-Bissau Holds Referendum on Presidential Power Shift

Guinea-Bissau held a referendum on Sunday to decide whether to transition from a parliamentary system to a presidential system. The vote follows a period of army rule that began last November after a disputed election in which former President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both claimed victory. Under the proposed constitutional amendment approved by the junta, the president would gain the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and dissolve parliament. Additionally, the number of parliamentary seats would be reduced from 102 to 65.

The junta states that these changes are intended to stabilize institutions before presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 6, which are meant to return power to civilians. Conversely, opposition groups have urged a boycott of the vote. They argue that the amendment will allow the junta leader to cement his power and will serve as a source of political instability. Provisional results are expected starting Tuesday. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world's poorest nations, has a history of political volatility including five coups since 1974.