Transitional President Gen Horta N'Tam's military government proposed the changes

🌐 Here's What Happened

Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers ahead of a general election later this year.

The referendum was organised by the military government that seized power in the West African nation last November following a disputed election.

Voters have agreed to sweeping reforms allowing the president to appoint and dismiss the ​prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries and dissolve parliament in ⁠the event of a grave political crisis.

📌 Key Details

The main opposition party boycotted the vote, saying the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards and threatened the country's transition back to democracy.

Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries in the world, has experienced at least nine attempted and successful coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.

The UN has dubbed the country a "narco-state" - its coastline has many uninhabited islands, making it ideal for drug traffickers.

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Provisional results announced by the country's electoral commission showed that 70% of voters backed the changes in Sunday's referendum, while 30% voted against them. Turnout was reported at nearly 60%.

The new constitution strengthens the presidency at the expense of the prime minister, altering the balance of power under Guinea-Bissau's semi-presidential system.

📰 Source: BBC Africa