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A group of people behind a Bissau-Guinean flag
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Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is a West African country with a population of 2 million that borders the Atlantic Ocean, Guinea and Senegal. Guinea-Bissau gained independence in 1974 after a bloody war against Portugal.

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All Content on this topic

Guinea Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo salutes to troops lining the street as he rides in a Mercedes car.

Will Guinea-Bissau's president rethink second term bid?

Bissau-Guinean President Embalo announced that he does not intend to run for a second term. Is it just a tactical move?
PoliticsSeptember 18, 2024
Journalist Armando Lona, one of the founders of civil society organization Frente Popular (FP)

Guinea-Bissau escalates crackdown on press freedom

Life is getting more dangerous for independent or critical journalists in Guinea-Bissau. But now, people are rising up.
PoliticsAugust 11, 2024
Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Xi Jinping walk side by side in Beijing, China.

How risky is Guinea-Bissau's China dependence?

Guinea-Bissau's president aims to further strengthen cooperation with China. Observers consider this problematic.
PoliticsJuly 10, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on the sidelines of Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 27, 2023

How does Portuguese-speaking Africa stand on Russia?

Russia has beefed up efforts to build stronger relations with Portuguese-speaking African nations.
PoliticsMay 21, 2024
PALOP-Treffen

How Africa's freedom fighters toppled Portugal's empire

In the jungles of Africa some 50 years ago, freedom fighters took a stand against the Portuguese Empire.
ConflictsApril 25, 202402:01 min
Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo

Guinea-Bissau opposition fears 'dictatorship'

Opposition members accuse Guinea-Bissau's president of wanting to establish a dictatorship.
PoliticsMarch 22, 2024
Workers unload bags of rice from the back of a delivery truck

Guinea-Bissau marks 50 rocky years of independence

When Guinea-Bissau gained independence 50 years ago, there were high expectations of development and prosperity.
PoliticsSeptember 24, 2023
A soldier patrols the government palace area in Guinea-Bissau

Guinea Bissau: Mafia, drugs and a former president's son

The son of a former Bissau-Guinean president is suspected of links to drug trafficking and to last year's coup attempt.
PoliticsJuly 11, 2023
Electoral workers at a polling station in Bissau

Guinea Bissau: ECOWAS hails vote seeking end to instability

Election observers were on hand to monitor this year's vote based on proportional representation to elect 102 lawmakers.
PoliticsJune 5, 2023
Guinea-Bissau's presidential palace

Elections in Guinea-Bissau: The eternal search for stability

The elections are taking place in a divided country where basic democratic rights are under fire.
PoliticsJune 2, 2023
Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Paul Biya in front of two military officials wearing face masks

Russia looms large over Macron's Africa trip

The French president hoped to redefine relations, but Russian overtures mean there's stiff competition for influence.
PoliticsJuly 29, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron (l) and Cameroonian President Paul Biya (r) shake hands in the capital Yaounde as two uniformed men stand behind them 

Macron in Cameroon offers look at past, help for future

French President Macron began a three-country African tour hoping to reset relations with former colonies.
PoliticsJuly 27, 2022
Guinea Bissau PAIGC Parteizentrale 2010

Guinea-Bissau's political crisis deepens

Opposition parties have slammed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo's decision to dissolve parliament.
PoliticsMay 19, 2022
Kenia Beisetzung Ex-Präsident Mwai Kibaki

AfricaLink on Air — 29 April 2022

African leaders mourn Kenya's ex-President Kibaki +++ ECOWAS stabilisation force back in Guinea Bissau
SocietyApril 29, 202229:58 min
A man listens to a portable radio

Guinea-Bissau: Crackdown on press freedom

Many radio stations have been shut down and broadcasters have been attacked. Is Guinea-Bissau's media freedom eroding?
PoliticsApril 26, 2022
Three soldiers patrolling the streets of Bissau

Guinea-Bissau: Government critics under increasing pressure

A new spate of violence against critics of the government in Guinea-Bissau is feeding a feeling of insecurity.
PoliticsFebruary 15, 2022
Armed soldiers move on the main artery of the capital after heavy gunfire around the presidential palace in Bissau

Are drug cartels behind Guinea-Bissau's attempted coup?

It is still unclear who is behind the attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau — and there are suspicions on all sides.
PoliticsFebruary 3, 2022
Ghana Accra | Economic Community of West African States | ECOWAS

AfricaLink on Air — 03 February 2022

ECOWAS discusses coups in the region+++Would you marry the husband or wife of your deceased friend?
PoliticsFebruary 3, 202230:00 min
Umaro Sissoco Embaló und Offiziere der Armee

AfricaLink on Air — 02 February 2022

Another attempted coup on the continent+++Insecurity on Gambian soil+++Climate change on Africa’s highest mountain
PoliticsFebruary 2, 202230:00 min
A soldier patrols the government palace area

Guinea-Bissau: Coup attempt fails after gunfire in capital

Guinea-Bissau's president said the situation is now under control, after gunmen attacked a government compound.
ConflictsFebruary 2, 2022
In photo: Macky Sall and Umaro Sissoco Embaló

Anger over Guinea-Bissau and Senegal 'oil and gas contract'

Guinea-Bissau lawmakers say the president bypassed them in the deal with Senegal.
BusinessDecember 31, 2021
An artistic image of slaves and their masters.

Portugal confronts its slave trade past

Increasingly, Portuguese citizens with African roots are urging their country to reckon with its slave trade past.
HistoryMarch 24, 2021
Women working in a field in Burundi

COVID-19 places extra burden on African women

African women have to work harder while earning less as the coronavirus exposes gender disparity across the continent.
SocietyJune 13, 2020
Guinea-Bissau Wahl | Umaro Sissoco Embaló & José Mario Vaz

Coup or legitimate change of power?

Two months after Guinea-Bissau's presidential runoff, Umaro Embalo declared victory and appointed himself president.
PoliticsMarch 4, 2020
Ruanda Idriss Deby und Paul Kagame stellen neuen Reisepass vor

AfricaLink on Air - 02 January 2020

Africans eye new free trade deal, AU passport in 2020 +++ Ugandan youth seek to join army amid unemployment
PoliticsJanuary 2, 202030:00 min
Guinea-Bissau President-elect Umaro Sissoco Embalo

Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate wins presidential vote

Ex-general and premier Embalo was declared winner of presidential elections in the turbulent West African country.
PoliticsJanuary 1, 2020
Alaah Salah standing on a car addressing protesters

Africa 2019: From revolutions to Ebola

Revolution, natural disasters and a Nobel Prize – our review of the year shows the highs and lows of 2019 in Africa.
PoliticsDecember 31, 201912 images
Guinea Bissau Wahlen

Who will be Guinea-Bissau's president in the new year?

Two ex-prime ministers are fighting for Guinea-Bissau's presidency. They 're both running on a platform of 'change.'
PoliticsDecember 26, 2019
Jose Mario Vaz, president of Guinea-Bissau

Opinion: Guinea-Bissau votes out its president

The result of Guinea-Bissau's election couldn't be clearer with incumbent President Vaz suffering a stunning defeat.
PoliticsNovember 28, 2019
A side-by-side image of Domingos Simões Pereira und Umaro Sissoco Embaló

Guinea-Bissau: Ex-PMs advance to runoff election

Domingos Simoes Pereira and Umaro Cissoko Embalo are due to face off in a final vote on December 29.
PoliticsNovember 27, 2019
Guinea-Bissau elections

Guinea-Bissau: Polls close amid fraud claims

Voters had been hoping the presidential elections would end years of political chaos.
PoliticsNovember 25, 2019
Presidential palace in Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau: Strife and uncertainty amid elections

Guinea-Bissau is in political stalemate. It is not sure that Sunday's presidential polls will put an end to the chaos.
PoliticsNovember 23, 2019
Nigeria Präsidentschaftswahlen Buhari

AfricaLink on Air – 04 November 2019

Nigeria extends land border closure over smuggling to January 2020 +++ Reactions after murder of Congolese journalist
PoliticsNovember 4, 201929:59 min
Aristides Gomes talkes to reporters

Guinea-Bissau names new PM 'in name of peace'

Aristides Gomes has been named as Guinea-Bissau's new prime minister, ending a long political deadlock.
PoliticsJune 22, 2019
Fraeuen und die Wasserversorgung in Mosambik

Africalink on Air - 22 March 2019

The world marks World Water Day +++ Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan calls on the West to deal with Islamaphobia.
PoliticsMarch 22, 201929:59 min
Nigeria - dreistöckiges Gebäude in Lagos eingestürzt

AfricaLink on Air - 13 March 2019

Pupils trapped in collapsed building in Lagos+++French President Macron is in Kenya to boost ties
PoliticsMarch 13, 201929:59 min
Supporters of the PAIGC party in Guinea-Bissau wave red, green and yellow flags as they celebrate the party's victory in the 2019 parliamentary election

Guinea-Bissau: Ruling party wins parliamentary elections

The PAIGC has secured the highest number of seats but it will need to cooperate with other parties to secure a majorty.
PoliticsMarch 13, 2019
Man holding up ballot paper

Will Guinea-Bissau vote end political crisis?

Guineans hope Sunday's poll will mark the end of a long period of political crisis in the West African country.
PoliticsMarch 10, 2019
Demo gegen Gewalt gegen Frauen in Nairobi 17.11.2014

AfricaLink on Air - 08 March 2019

International Women's Day marked across the globe+++Voters in Guinea Bissau head to the polls on Sunday
PoliticsMarch 8, 201930:00 min
Anti-government protests in Guinea-Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis

For two years, parliament and Guinea-Bissau’s government have been at loggerheads as public frustration grows.
PoliticsJune 7, 2017
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Promoting the culture of Guinea-Bissau

Instead of selling fruits the members Netos de Bandim dance group.dance to finance their school education.
CultureApril 5, 201701:08 min
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The toothpaste painter from Guinea-Bissau

Felisberto Pereira known as "Botodjo" creates his own colors from anything he gets.
ArtsFebruary 15, 201703:13 min
Elfenbeinküste Mädchen bei Information Aufklärung gegen weibliche Genitalverstümmelung Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM / C) der UNICEF

Raising FGM awareness in Africa

DW reports from Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau on International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
PoliticsFebruary 6, 2017
external

The "Botodjo style": Making paint out of toothpaste

Felisberto Pereira known as "Botodjo" is a do-it -yourself hero at it's best. Lack of paint and canvas has made him create his own colors from anything he gets.
ArtsDecember 19, 201601:01 min
external

Dancing for school - a thrilling side job

Instead of selling fruits the members Netos de Bandim dance group.dance to finance their school education.
SocietyNovember 30, 201603:12 min
external

Guinea-Bissau: From cashew nut to steak

A cashew cooperative in Guinea-Bissau has taught local producers a new approach to business.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 24, 201602:46 min
UN Generalversammlung in New York - José Mário Vaz, Präsident von Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau names new prime minister

Guinea-Bissau's president names new premier in the latest bid to break a political impasse over leadership succession.
PoliticsNovember 19, 2016
An image of Baciro Dja, who was named new prime minister of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau's president names new PM

The ruling party has slammed the decision, saying it will not accept an "unconstitutional decision."
May 27, 2016
Guinea-Bissau President Jose Mario Vaz

Guinea-Bissau's president dissolves government

In the midst of a political crisis, President Jose Mario Vaz has sacked his cabinet and the prime minister.
May 12, 2016

Africa and communist East Germany

Before German unity in 1990, East Berlin sought ties with socialist or Marxist-Leninist African states
October 1, 201514 images