Guinea-Bissau will hold a Constitutional referendum on August 30, 2026, to decide whether to replace its parliamentary system with a presidential one, according to a Government decree published on Monday, July 6.
The proposed constitutional reform would grant the President greater powers, including the authority to appoint the Prime minister and Government ministers, as well as dissolve Parliament.
The move follows the military takeover in November 2025, which came days after a disputed presidential election. The Transitional Government has since unanimously approved the proposed constitutional amendment.
The decree, issued by transitional president General Horta N’Tam, states that the referendum follows a favourable opinion from the Supreme Court. N’Tam, who assumed office after the removal of Umaro Sissoco Embaló in November 2025, will not be eligible to contest the presidency.
If approved, the reforms will precede presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 6, 2026, which are intended to restore civilian rule. Until now, Guinea-Bissau’s prime minister has been selected from the parliamentary majority, a system that has often resulted in unstable coalition governments.