Guinea-Bissau constitutional referendum faces opposition boycott

Guinea-Bissau constitutional referendum PAIGC military coup political instability

Guinea-Bissau is set to hold a constitutional referendum this Sunday, a move that has sparked intense political division. The proposed constitution, approved by the National Transitional Council, aims to strengthen presidential powers and reduce the number of parliamentary deputies from 102 to 65. Supporters argue these changes will resolve chronic political instability by clarifying the roles of the president and prime minister.

However, the opposition, led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), has denounced the referendum as an “absolute farce” and a “coup against democracy.” PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira has called for a total boycott, urging citizens to stay home to protest the lack of democratic legitimacy following the military coup in November 2025.

Civil society organizations have also joined the call for a boycott, citing restricted freedoms and the absence of a fair campaign environment for the opposition. Critics note that the referendum precedes general elections scheduled for December 6, potentially violating ECOWAS protocols that prohibit changing electoral laws within six months of an election.

Entities

Domingos Simões Pereira · ECOWAS · Guinea-Bissau · Guinean League for Human Rights · Horta Guirassy · National Transitional Council · PAIGC

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Domingos Simões Pereira described the constitutional referendum as a coup against democracy and freedom. noticiaslusofonas.com · observador.pt · pt.euronews.com · sapo.pt
[○ 1 SOURCE] The National Transitional Council approved the proposed constitutional text on January 13, 2026. www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The new constitution would strengthen presidential powers relative to the head of government. pt.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.aljazeera.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The ECOWAS Protocol on democracy and good governance prohibits changing electoral laws within six months of an election. fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The PAIGC party has called for a total boycott of the upcoming constitutional referendum. noticiaslusofonas.com · pt.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · sapo.pt · www.aljazeera.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] A military command assumed power in Guinea-Bissau in November 2025. noticiaslusofonas.com · www.aljazeera.com · pt.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The proposed constitution would reduce the number of deputies from 102 to 65. fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 2 SOURCES] General elections in Guinea-Bissau are scheduled for December 6. fr.news.yahoo.com · www.aljazeera.com

Sources

Líder eleito do parlamento da Guiné-Bissau apela ao boicote ao referendo constitucional [noticiaslusofonas.com]

about 14 hours ago

Guiné-Bissau: fim de campanha para o referendo constitucional [www.rfi.fr]

about 17 hours ago

Líder eleito do parlamento da Guiné-Bissau apela ao boicote ao referendo constitucional de domingo [observador.pt]

about 7 hours ago

Militares guineenses põem nova Constituição a referendo, oposição apela ao boicote [pt.euronews.com]

about 24 hours ago

Guinée-Bissau: à la veille du référendum sur la nouvelle Constitution, partisans et opposants exposent leurs arguments [fr.news.yahoo.com]

about 4 hours ago

PAIGC pede boicote ao referendo de domingo [sapo.pt]

about 7 hours ago

Guinea-Bissau votes on a stronger presidency: What’s at stake? [www.aljazeera.com]

about 2 hours ago