Republic of Guinea-Bissau
A country on the Atlantic coast of Africa. It includes, in addition to the mainland, the island of Bolama and the Bijagos archipelago. It borders Senegal and Guinea. The area is 36,125 sq. km. The capital is Bissau (300,000), the most significant cities are: Bafata, Gabu, Cacheu, Farim, Catio, Bissora. The administrative-territorial division consists of 8 districts and the autonomous sector of Bissau. The population is 1.38 million (March 2004). The main ethnic groups are: Balante (30%), Fula (20%), Mandjak (14%), Pepel (12%), and others. About 20% live in cities. The official language is Portuguese, and Creole (which arose from the mixing of Portuguese with local dialects) is widely spoken.
Religion: up to 50% of the population adheres to local beliefs (animists), about 35% are Muslims, and 15% are Christians (Catholics and Protestants). The currency is the CFA franc (African Financial Community) (1000 CFA francs = 1.52 euros).
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on December 6, 1973).
National holiday - September 24 - Independence Day (1973).
Guinea-Bissau is a presidential republic. The head of state is the president, elected by popular vote for 5 years (in the second round of elections on July 24, 2005, J. B. Vieira won). The highest legislative body is the unicameral National People's Assembly (NPA) - 100 deputies (elected by popular vote for a term of 4 years). Of the officially registered 28 political parties, only 5 have deputies in parliament: African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) - 45, Party of Social Renewal (PRS) - 35, United Social Democratic Party (PUSD) - 17, Electoral Union (UE) - 2, United People's Alliance (APU) - 1. The government is the executive body consisting of 16 ministers and 7 state secretaries headed by the prime minister (since November 2005 - A. Gomes).
In the 15th century, the Portuguese began to penetrate the territory of Guinea-Bissau. However, until the end of the 19th century, they controlled only individual points on the coast and islands. Since 1879, it became a Portuguese colony. Since 1951, it was designated as an "overseas territory" of Portugal.
Since 1963, an armed struggle unfolded in Guinea-Bissau, led by the PAIGC. A significant part of the national territory was liberated. In 1972, the Portuguese authorities granted Guinea-Bissau the right to "local autonomy." That same year, elections were held in the National People's Assembly on the liberated territory. At its first session in September 1973, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau was proclaimed, and the first constitution of the country was adopted. After the overthrow of the Salazar regime in Portugal in April 1974, the struggle for the liberation of Guinea-Bissau entered its final stage. In August 1974, an agreement to cease hostilities was signed in Algiers. Portugal recognized the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and fully withdrew its troops in October of the same year. In 1992, a multiparty system was introduced in the country. In June 1998, a civil war broke out in Guinea-Bissau, leading to the overthrow of President J. B. Vieira in May 1999. As a result of the second round of presidential elections in January 2000, the leader of the Party of Social Renewal, Kumba Nala, became the head of state. A unicameral parliament (NPA) was formed, which was dissolved in November 2002 by K. Yala.
As a result of another coup in September 2003, power passed to the Military Committee for the Restoration of Constitutional and Democratic Order, headed by the chief of the armed forces' general staff, General V. Seabra. The adopted Political Charter regulated the functions of the highest authorities during the transitional period (until March 2005), and E. P. Rosa was appointed president of Guinea-Bissau. On February 28, 2004, elections for the National Assembly were held, which allowed the parliament to resume its activities and in May 2004, a new government was formed headed by K. G. Junior.
In October 2004, as a result of a military uprising, armed disorders were provoked in the capital, during which the head of the Military Committee, General V. Seabra, was killed. Negotiations involving a government commission, with the mediation of the UN and several countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), resulted in the signing of a "Protocol of Understanding" between the top command and the leaders of the rebels.
Guinea-Bissau is a member of the UN (since 1974), the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OIC, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, ECOWAS.
According to the UNDP classification (2004), Guinea-Bissau is classified among the least developed countries in the world, with a per capita income of about $200 per year, ranking 172nd in the world. The GDP in 2004 was $287 million.
The leading sector of the economy of Guinea-Bissau is agriculture. It accounts for 63.6% of GDP, primarily cultivating cashew nuts. In addition, rice, peanuts, and other crops are grown. Exports consist of cashew nuts (80% of total volume, in 2004 the gross harvest of nuts was 92.7 thousand tons), seafood, and valuable timber. The main import items are food, raw materials and petroleum products, means of transportation, and equipment. Industry is poorly developed (12.1% of GDP) and is mainly represented by small enterprises processing agricultural products, producing building materials, and wood processing.
There are no railroads in the country. The main mode of transport is road transport. The length of the roads is 3,500 km, of which 650 km are paved. The main seaport is Bissau. There is an international airport in Bissau, 2 local airfields with paved runways, and several unpaved runways.
The foreign trade balance has a chronic negative balance. The geography of foreign trade is mainly limited to Western European countries, Senegal, India, and China.
Three main weekly publications are issued in Portuguese: "Diário de Bissau," "No Pincha," and "Gazeta de Notícias."
There is a Guinea news agency, national television (the only channel). The state radio station "RDN," independent radio station "Bonbolom-FM," private radio station "Pidjigite," and about a dozen small regional radio stations operate in the country.