Guinea-Bissau Voters Back Changes to Increase Presidential Powers

Voters in Guinea-Bissau have backed constitutional changes that would significantly strengthen the powers of the presidency.

According to the National Electoral Commission, about 70 per cent of voters supported the proposed amendments.

The changes would reduce the size of parliament and weaken the role of the prime minister in the country’s semi-presidential system.

Opposition groups have criticised the referendum and argued that the reforms could concentrate too much power in the presidency.

The vote comes after years of political instability in the West African country.

Monafrika Take: The coming months will show whether the constitutional changes bring greater stability or deepen concerns about concentration of political power.