Guinea-Bissau Government

Map showing the location of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is a republic with politics taking place in the context of semi-presidential representative democracy. While the president is the head of state, the government is headed by the prime minister. The executive power is vested in the government while the legislative power is exercised by both the government and the parliament known as the National People’s Assembly. Guinea-Bissau also has a malty-party system. Despite the country being a democratic state, the military continues to exercise powers and interfere with civilian leadership with no single president serving a full five-year term since 1974.

Elections in Guinea-Bissau takes place every five years. The president is elected in a two-round election system while the legislatures are elected directly from 27 constituencies. Two members of the national assembly are elected to represent the citizens living in Africa and Europe. For one to vote in any election, they must be at least 18 years old and also a citizen of Guinea-Bissau. On top of being a citizen, a candidate must be at least 21 years old.

The legislative body of Guinea-Bissau, known as the National People’s Assembly, comprises of 102 members; 100 elected through party-list proportional representation and 2 seats for the citizens living abroad. The parliament building, known as the “Palácio Colinas do Boé,” is located in Bissau and was constructed from 2003 to 2004. Its construction was funded by the Chinese government. The Presidential Palace, which is the official residence of the president, is also located in the Capital Bissau. The old palace, which was ruined during the Civil War in 1998-1999, was replaced by a new palace. The construction of the new presidential palace was also funded by the Chinese government and was opened in 2013.

Guinea-Bissau has a multi-party system where coalition governments are formed. Parties include the Social Renewal Party and the United Social Democratic Party.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Bissau
Languages	Crioulo (lingua franca), Portuguese (official; largely used as a second or third language), Pular (a Fula language), Mandingo
Ethnic Groups	Fulani 28.5%, Balanta 22.5%, Mandinga 14.7%, Papel 9.1%, Manjaco 8.3%, Beafada 3.5%, Mancanha 3.1%, Bijago 2.1%, Felupe 1.7%, Mansoanca 1.4%, Balanta Mane 1%, other 1.8%, none 2.2% (2008 est.)
Religion	Muslim 45.1%, Christian 22.1%, animist 14.9%, none 2%, unspecified 15.9% (2008 est.)
Government	Semi-presidential republic
Independance	24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
Area	36,125.00 km²
Water Area	8,005.00 km²
Land Area	28,120.00 km²
Population	1,759,159.00
Location	Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal
No. Bordering Countries	2
Bordering Countries	Guinea 421 km, Senegal 341 km
GDP(PPP)	$2,851,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$1,600.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are India and Nigeria.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are fish, shrimp, and cashews.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Portugal, Senegal, and China.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, and petroleum products.
Climate	Tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain	Mostly low-lying coastal plain with a deeply indented estuarine coastline rising to savanna in east; numerous off-shore islands including the Arquipelago Dos Bijagos consisting of 18 main islands and many small islets
Learn More	Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau Government

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