Guinea-Bissau votes in a referendum on granting the president expanded powers

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Guinea-Bissau was voting Sunday in a referendum to decide on granting new presidential powers ahead of December's general election, which will return the West African nation to democracy after its latest coup.

There was a low turnout across many voting stations after the opposition urged voters to boycott the referendum, saying it would make the head of the military government more powerful.

The military government seized power in November of last year following a disputed election in which former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both claimed victory.

If passed, the new constitution by the self-styled National Transitional Council will grant more powers to the president and reduce parliamentary representation, among other issues.

The authorities argue that a parliament trimmed from 102 to 65 seats would allow for easier and more robust debates, while new presidential powers would underline the higher authority of the president over the prime minister, which they claim is a source of political instability in the country. Opposition groups reject the claim.

“In a community, there is only one leader. No community or village can have two leaders. We revised the constitution to avoid constant conflict between the president of the republic and the prime minister. We clarified the law and helped the public understand that the president of the republic is the national symbol. It is the president who stands for election in presidential polls,” Gen. Tomás Djassi, the head of the armed forces, said.

But the opposition has called on voters to boycott the referendum, saying it is a path for the head of the military government to amass power and calling it a "source of political instability at all levels".

“This constitution significantly weakens the prime minister and the government, subordinates the National People’s Assembly and political parties, and devalues — or even ignores — the popular will expressed at the polls, carrying all the attendant risks of political and social division and tension,” Muniro Conté, spokesperson for the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, told The Associated Press.

Last year's coup in Guinea-Bissau worsened West Africa's democratic crisis, adding it to a growing number of countries in the region under military rule.

Leaders on the continent branded it a “staged” takeover after the military allowed the former president to host a press conference to announce he was being deposed and allowed to leave the country in seemingly favorable circumstances. Skeptics say Embaló had given up the seat to the military after seeing he was losing the election.

Since it gained independence from Portugal in 1973, the only Portuguese-speaking country in West Africa has been rocked by several coups and attempted coups. Before last year’s coup, a failed coup was reported only a month before.

The tiny country of around 2.2 million people has the highest proportion of natural wealth per capita in West Africa, according to the World Bank, but more than half of the country lives in poverty. The country is a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, an issue experts say fuels its political instability.

Nearly 915,000 voters are registered to vote in the referendum, but the majority say the constitution is not a problem.

Bacar Camará, a high school teacher in the capital, Bissau, said he would not be voting and disapproves of the referendum, citing a fraught political and social environment.

“The transitional government should focus on creating conditions for better understanding and reconciliation among Guineans,” he said.

Another resident in Bissau, Carolina Djeme, said the constitution is unfamiliar to her.

"I’ll go vote on Sunday. However, I’ll vote ‘no’ because — honestly, and I think this is the case for many other citizens — I don’t know this new constitution well, so I can’t vote ‘yes’,” she said.

Analysts say the military government lacks the legitimacy to change the constitution, which has sparked discontent among the citizens.

“The fundamental question is: Who drafted this constitution, and on whose behalf? To protect which interests or institutions? Who stands to benefit from this constitution?” Paulino Quadé, a Guinean political analyst, said.

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Adetayo reported from London.

A voter casts her ballot during a referendum on granting new presidential powers, in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darcicio Barbosa)

Election officials wait for voters to cast their ballots during a referendum on granting new presidential powers, in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darcicio Barbosa)

Voters prepare to cast their ballots during a referendum on granting new presidential powers, in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darcicio Barbosa)

A voter casts her ballot during a referendum on granting new presidential powers, in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darcicio Barbosa)

FILE - Guinea-Bissau Transitional President General Horta Inta-A-Na Man, centre, and President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye walk during an official ECOWAS mission to help resolve Guinea-Bissau's political crisis in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Abubacar Queta, File)

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain paid a high price for its thrilling Champions League win over Barcelona with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tearing the ACL in his right knee and Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos both tearing thigh muscles.

PSG said in a statement Wednesday that Kvaratskhelia will have an operation in the coming days and that Dembélé (left thigh) and Marquinhos (right thigh) both face several weeks out.

Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé pulled up clutching the back of his left thigh following a run down the left in the 19th minute of Tuesday's game.

Kvaratskhelia landed awkwardly after sprinting back to make a tackle on Xavi Espart early into the second half and looked in severe pain as he clutched his knee.

Kvaratskhelia, who can play on both wings, and 32-year-old central defender Marquinhos were both replaced on the hour mark at Parc des Princes, where two-time defending champion PSG won 4-2 for a third straight win in the competition.

Marquinhos, who has played more than 500 games since joining PSG in 2013, sat down on the field in the 58th minute and immediately began rubbing the back of his thigh.

PSG coach Luis Enrique used Dembélé sparingly in the French league last season and has already rested him twice in Ligue 1 this campaign.

The France star, who scored six goals at the World Cup, struggled with injuries last season and the speedy forward had been beset by leg muscle injuries at his previous club Barcelona.

The 2024-25 campaign, which led to him winning the men's Ballon d'Or, saw Dembélé playing 50 games overall in a season for the first time in his career.

Kvaratskhelia injured his right ankle last season.

PSG hosts Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday with both sides level on points at the top of the standings.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

PSG's Marquinhos, right, sits on the field after appearing to suffer an injury during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Ousmane Dembele, left, leaves the field with an injury during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Ousmane Dembele reacts in pain after sustaining an injury during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Barcelona's Xavi Espart, right, fights for the ball with PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia grimaces in pain after a challenges for the ball with Barcelona's Xavi Espart, left, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)