General background

Source: Office for Coordination of the United Nations System in Guinea-Bissau, http://www.onu-guineebissau.org/profil.htm

Guineans went to the polls on June 28, 2009 to elect a new president, a civic exercise that was not supposed to happen until 2010 under normal circumstances. Guinea-Bissau will hold a second round of presidential elections on the 26 July since none of the principal three candidates secured more than 50 percent of the vote, according to the National Electoral Commission.

The early presidential elections were called after the assassination of President João Bernardo “Nino” Vieira on 2 March 2009, and less than six months after the election of the new Popular National Assembly (ANP). ANP former president, Raimundo Pereira, was named interim president of Guinea Bissau.

Presidential polls were held on 19 June 2005. João Bernardo “Nino” Vieira, who had been deposed through a coup in 1999, after almost 20 years of regency, came back from exile in Portugal and won the Presidential race. Vieira beat PAIGC candidate Malam Bacai Sanhá in a run-off election with 52,35% while Sanhá held 47,64% of the votes. Bacai Sanhá initially refused to concede defeat claiming that the elections were fraudulent in two constituencies, including the capital Bissau, but later accepted results as the Supreme Court decided to dismiss Sanhá´s complaint for procedural reasons.

An EU EOM was deployed to observe the 2005 polls and stated that both rounds were generally well organized and met essential international standards for democratic elections.

On 16 November 2008, the Popular National Assembly was totally renewed with the election of 100 new members. PAIGC´s President Carlos Gomes Junior was appointed Prime Minister.

An EU EOM has also been deployed to observe the 2008 legislative elections and stated that elections were held in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The population is estimated at 1.6 million, but the last demographic census dates from 1991. The country ranks 175 out of 177 nations according to the 2007 UN Human Development Index.

The country has enormous potential for natural resources, namely cashew nuts, timber, fisheries and husbandry. The subsoil is rich in some minerals, such as bauxite, phosphate, not yet exploited. The surface transport infrastructure covers an extension of 2755 km, having only 770 km paved.

Guinea-Bissau is situated on the west coast of Africa (geographic coordinates: 11 51 N, 15 35 W), has a total area of 36,120 sq km (13,946 sq mi), about 10% of which is periodically submerged by tidal waters. Besides its mainland territory, it includes the Bijagós Archipelago and various coastal islands, including Jeta, Pecixe, Bolama, and Melo. Extending 336 km (209 mi) N–S and 203 km (126 mi) E–W, Guinea-Bissau is bordered on the N by Senegal, on the E and SE by Guinea, and on the SW and W by the Atlantic Ocean, with a total boundary length of 1,074 km (667 mi).

The terrain is mostly low coastal plain rising into a savannah in the east.

The country has a tropical climate with a rainy season (June to October) and a dry season (November to May). Precipitation during the rainy season is inconsistent, though twice as much falls in the south than in the north. Temperatures are hot and humid year-round, with an annual average of 27°C (80°F).

Official Language: Portuguese

Local Languages: The main common language spoken is criolo. Over 18 other languages are
spoken by different ethnic groups.

Main Ethnic Groups (estimated): Balanta (24,7%), Fula (25,4%), Mandinga (13,7%), Manjaco (9,3%), Papel, (9%), White and Mestizo (less than 1%)

Main Religious Groups (estim.): Traditional indigenous beliefs 36%, Muslim 46%, Christian 14%, Others 4%

Demographic Indicators (1)

Population: 1.6 million (estimated) – 51.6% women, 48.4% men
Population under 18 years old: 889,900 (UNICEF SOWC, 2008)
Population aged 15-64: 586,520 (INEC estimates, 2005)
Population over 65 years old: 70,250 (INEC estimates, 2005)
Population Density: 44.3 inhabitants/km2
Life expectancy at birth: 45.4 years

(1) Source: Office for Coordination of the United Nations System in Guinea-Bissau, http://www.onu-guineebissau.org/profil.htm

Official name: Republic of Guinea Bissau

Independence: Declared on 24 September 1973, recognized on 10 September 1974

Capital: Bissau (estimated population 400.000 inhabitants)

Administrative divisions:

8 regions: Cacheu, Biombo, Oio, Bafata, Gabu, Quinara, Tombali, Bolama/Bijagos and 1 autonomous sector of Bissau

39 Sectors

Head of State: Interim President Raimundo Pereira, since 3 March 2009

Head of the Government: Prime-Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior, since January 2009

Constitutional/Legal System: The Constitution was promulgated on 16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996. The legal system is based on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.

International organisations affiliations/participation: ACP, AFDB, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO.

Cashew Monoculture (2): Guinea Bissau strongly relies on the exportation of its cashew kernels as the main source of export revenues. Diversification agricultural products – and economic diversification as a consequence – is essential to reduce economic risks and related to climate change or natural disasters as well as the risk of dependence in single revenue. It is also important that the country be supported to process its cashew kernel locally, in order to maintain the added value and also provide employment to its population, particularly considering the large number of unemployed youth.

Currency: CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes.

Guinea-Bissau is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

(2) Source: Office for Coordination of the United Nations System in Guinea-Bissau, http://www.onu-guineebissau.org/profil.htm