Guinea-Bissau is heading towards a potentially significant constitutional referendum on August 30, less than a year after a military coup disrupted the country's presidential election process. The proposed constitution would significantly strengthen the powers of the presidency.

Under the proposed changes, Parliament would be reduced from 102 to 65 seats, while electoral constituencies would be cut from 29 to 12. Presidential candidates would also be required to prove that they have lived permanently in Guinea-Bissau for the previous five years.

Critics argue that these changes could weaken Parliament, reduce political representation and concentrate power in the presidency, raising broader questions about democratic governance in a region already facing a series of military takeovers.

To unpack what is happening in Guinea-Bissau, what it means for ECOWAS and regional democratic norms, and whether West Africa is witnessing another shift away from constitutional democracy, Mpho Sithole spoke to Lassané Ouedraogo, an analyst specialising in Francophone West Africa and international law.