Citizens of Guinea-Bissau will vote in a referendum on Sunday on a constitutional change to a presidential system from a parliamentary one ahead of a general election meant to restore civilian rule later this year.

The military took control of Guinea-Bissau in late November 2025 following the ouster of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo a day before provisional results of national elections were to be announced. Embalo was seeking a second term.

The military appointed General Horta N'Tam as transitional leader.

Guinea-Bissau is set to hold presidential and legislative elections meant to restore civilian rule on December 6.

If approved, the constitutional change would allow the head of state to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and members of the government, and to dissolve parliament.

Stabilise institutions

The transitional government says the change seeks to stabilise institutions.

On Sunday, voters will answer 'yes' or 'no' to the question: Do you agree with the entry into force of the new constitution approved by the National Transitional Council?

The new text proposes abandoning the old system whereby the prime minister came from the parliamentary majority, which has previously led to power-sharing.

Following 2023 legislative elections, then-president Umaro Sissoco Embalo dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament that December in response to what he described as an attempted coup.

He then ruled by decree until he was ousted by the army in November 2025, a day before provisional results of national elections were to be announced.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced five coups and a string of attempted putsches since 1974.