Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest and most fragile countries, has a population of approximately 1.9 million. Guinea-Bissau borders Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south, and its Atlantic Ocean coast features the Bijagós archipelago, with 88 islands. Despite its small size, Guinea-Bissau is home to a large variety of ethnic groups, languages, and religions.

Political Context

Guinea-Bissau has a history of political and institutional fragility dating back to its independence from Portugal in 1974. It is among the most coup-prone and politically unstable countries in the world. Since independence, four successful coups have been recorded, with another 17 coups attempted, plotted, or alleged. The 2019 presidential elections were followed by a political crisis that ended in April 2020, with ECOWAS recognition of Umaro Sissoco Embaló as President of the Republic. Following a political crisis and the dissolution of Parliament by President Embaló in May 2022, early legislative elections were held in June 2023. In December 2023, Parliament was again dissolved and closed following a constitutional crisis, and a presidential initiative government was appointed. Presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for November 23, 2025.

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