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Guinea-Bissau
Africa
A small coastal country, Guinea-Bissau is known for its biodiversity and the Bijagós Archipelago. It faces economic struggles and political instability.
2,000,000
Population
36,125
Area (km²)
Bissau
Capital
22
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
22 Events
September 01, 2025 - Reports warn of escalating turmoil ahead of November 23 elections, with incidents of violence and polarization signaling risks of instability.
August 15, 2025 - The government suspends Portuguese media outlets (RTP África, RDP África, and Agência Lusa) and expels journalists, citing undisclosed reasons and straining diplomatic ties with Portugal.
August 07, 2025 - President Embaló dismisses Prime Minister Rui Duarte de Barros and appoints Braima Camará as replacement, amid cabinet reshuffles.
August 01, 2025 - An African Union expert meeting convenes in Bissau to advance the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG) pilot phase.
July 11, 2025 - President Embaló discusses bilateral relations with Russia, China, and the U.S. in an interview, including potential acceptance of U.S. deportees.
June 28, 2025 - The World Bank rehabilitates roads in northern Oio and Cacheu regions, benefiting 30,000 residents and boosting connectivity.
March 09, 2025 - The electoral commission launches a two-month voter registration drive in preparation for the polls.
March 07, 2025 - The government shifts the election date forward by one week to November 23.
March 03, 2025 - President Embaló announces his candidacy for a second term in the upcoming November elections, backtracking on prior pledges and prompting opposition boycotts.
March 01, 2025 - An ECOWAS-UN mediation mission on the electoral crisis departs after Embaló threatens expulsion, urging calm amid stakeholder tensions.
February 03, 2025 - The Supreme Court rules that President Embaló's mandate expires on September 4, contradicting government claims and intensifying legitimacy disputes.
November 04, 2024 - President Embaló indefinitely postpones legislative elections scheduled for November 24, citing financial and logistical constraints, escalating the political crisis and drawing regional criticism.
September 15, 2024 - Police disrupt 25 political rallies, according to human rights groups, amid crackdowns on opposition activities and protests over the 2023 coup attempt; cross-generational demonstrations highlight growing social polarization. The economy grows by an estimated 4.6%, driven by agriculture and services, but fiscal strains persist.
September 09, 2024 - Police seize two tonnes of cocaine in a major drug bust, underscoring Guinea-Bissau's role as a narcotics transit hub and ongoing security challenges.
September 01, 2024 - President Embaló vows to step down at the end of his term but later backtracks, fueling opposition accusations of power consolidation.
February 23, 2024 - The government announces that presidential and parliamentary elections—originally set for November—will be postponed to November 30, 2025, citing logistical issues.
December 20, 2023 - A new prime minister is appointed in response to the political crisis triggered by the coup attempt.
December 04, 2023 - Parliament is dissolved following the foiled coup attempt, leaving the country without a functioning legislature just six months after elections.
December 02, 2023 - President Embaló declares recent violence in Bissau an "attempted coup," amid clashes between security forces and alleged plotters, including arrests of military figures.
October 18, 2023 - A major power outage hits the capital Bissau due to an unpaid electricity bill to Turkey's Karpowership, disrupting daily life and highlighting economic vulnerabilities.
August 09, 2023 - President Embaló appoints a new prime minister following the ruling party's setback in the June elections.
June 04, 2023 - Legislative elections are held more than a year after President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's 2022 dissolution of parliament; the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) secures a majority, though disputes over results lead to tensions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guinea-Bissau
100 Questions
Guinea-Bissau is in West Africa, bordered by Senegal, Guinea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The capital is Bissau, located on the coast.
Around 2 million people as of 2025 estimates.
Portuguese is the official language; Kriol (Creole) is widely spoken, along with Balanta, Fula, Mandinka, and others.
Tropical, with a rainy season (June–October) and a dry season (November–May).
The West African CFA franc (XOF).
Red vertical stripe with a black star, and yellow and green horizontal stripes.
Bissau, Bafatá, Gabú, Bissorã, and Bolama.
On September 24, 1973 (unilaterally declared), recognized in 1974 by Portugal.
Luís Cabral.
Umaro Sissoco Embaló (as of 2025).
A semi-presidential republic.
Balanta (largest), Fula, Mandinka, Papel, and Manjaco.
Islam, Christianity, and traditional African religions.
Around $2.3 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $1,150.
Around 59%.
About 59 years.
Around 4.8 children per woman.
Around 65%.
Cashew nuts (over 80% of exports), fish, shrimp, and peanuts.
Food, fuel, machinery, and manufactured goods.
Phosphates, bauxite, timber, and fisheries.
It has been a major hub for cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe.
The capital, port, and center of government.
Historic town and birthplace of revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral.
Largest town in the east, important trade hub.
Former capital, located on an island.
Monte Torin (~300 m).
An archipelago with unique culture and biodiversity, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Rice, cassava, millet, fish, and groundnuts.
Spicy stews made with fish, chicken, or peanuts.
A chicken or fish dish with onions and lemon sauce.
Palm wine, cashew wine, and bissap (hibiscus tea).
Football, wrestling, and athletics.
Djurtus (African wild dogs).
Yes, debuting in 2017.
Not yet.
Baciro Candé (coach), Zezinho, and players of Bissau-Guinean descent like Ansu Fati (Spain).
Yes, mostly in athletics and wrestling.
Gumbé (traditional), along with Afro-pop, reggae, and hip-hop.
A style blending African rhythms with Creole traditions.
Drums, balafon, kora, and flutes.
Mask dances and ceremonial community performances.
Colorful boubous and pagnes, with Portuguese influences in urban areas.
Key in farming, markets, and families, though gender inequality persists.
Around 52%.
Around 66%.
High, especially among youth.
Over 80%.
Rice, cashews, groundnuts, maize, and millet.
Cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry.
Weak, with limited hospitals and rural access problems.
Malaria, cholera, TB, and HIV/AIDS.
High, among the worst in the world.
Also very high.
“Esta É a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada” (“This Is Our Beloved Homeland”).
“Unidade, Luta, Progresso” (“Unity, Struggle, Progress”).
The African wild dog (djurtus).
The weaver bird.
The hibiscus.
Hippos, manatees, monkeys, crocodiles, and rich birdlife.
Orango Islands National Park, Cantanhez Forest National Park, and Cacheu Mangroves.
Part of the Bijagós, known for saltwater hippos.
A protected forest with chimpanzees and biodiversity.
A coastal wetland important for birds and fisheries.
Around 70%, higher than adults.
Around $1,150 annually.
Still high, but slowly declining.
Around 45%, with Bissau growing rapidly.
Farming, fishing, and subsistence living.
Imported fuel, biomass, and small solar projects.
High in solar and hydropower.
Dependence on cashews and political instability.
Frequent coups and fragile democracy.
Revolutionary leader who fought for independence from Portugal.
First president, brother of Amílcar Cabral.
Long-time president, assassinated in 2009.
A conflict that overthrew President Vieira, leading to instability.
Gunmen attacked the government palace but failed.
Peacekeeping and political mediation.
Close cultural and economic ties.
Invests in infrastructure and trade.
Supports peacebuilding and governance reforms.
Engaged in stabilizing post-coup politics.
Moderate, tied to the CFA franc zone.
Moderate, highest in coastal areas.
Weaving, pottery, wood carving, and basketry.
Central to culture, with gumbé as a symbol of identity.
Independence Day (Sept 24), Carnival, and religious holidays.
A colorful celebration with parades, masks, and music.
Around 14% difference.
Around 5 years.
Lower than rural areas.
Fighting malaria and improving maternal health.
Poor funding, teacher shortages, and low enrollment.
Rapid, with a very young population.
Important for cashew production and regional trade.
Uncertain, dependent on political stability and economic diversification.
It has rich culture, unique islands, and strategic location but struggles with chronic instability.