African Perspectives STUDIES & ARTICLES

Political Crisis in Guinea New Reality vs. Inherited Legacy

By: Mahmud Zakareya Instructor, Politics and Economy Section Institute of African Research and Studies Cairo University

Located in western African, a region ridden with political instabil- ity and military coups, Guinea Bissau stands one of five former Portuguese colonies in Africa. Observers of the political history of Guinea Bissau since its independence in 1974 will note that coups are caused by the struggle over power between the country's military and civilian leaders. Roots of Crisis The first Head of State in Guinea Bissau was Luis Cabral, who ruled for six years before he was overthrown by a military coup led by Joao Bernardo Vieira in 1980. Vieira stayed in power for 14 years despite numerous coup attempts. The first multi-party elections were held in 1994, but an army up- rising in 1998 led to ousting the president and the outbreak of Guinea– Bis- sau Civil War. Elections were held again in the year 2000 that brought Kumba Lala to power. In September 2003, a coup took place in which the military arrested Ialá. In June 2005, presidential elections were held for the first time since the coup that deposed Ialá. The election was won by former president Vieira. In No- vember 2008, President Vieira's official residence was attacked by members of the armed forces, killing a guard but leaving the president unharmed. On March 2nd, 2009, however, Vieira was assassinated. On June 28th, 2009, a na- tionwide election was held which was won by Malam Bacai Sanhá. Description of Crisis The crisis developed with the death of President Sanhá in January 2012, which resulted in a political vacuum. According to the constitution, early elections should be held within a period of 90 days from the time of the presi- dential post vacancy. National Assembly Speaker Raimundo Pereira was ap- pointed interim president until a nationwide election was held on 18 March 2012.

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African Perspectives

Of the 9 presidential candidates quish their unconstitutional stance running, the three strongest were but it has also suspended Guinea Carlos Gomes of the African Party Bissau’s membership until its Con- of the Independence of Guinea and stitutional status was rectified. Cape Verde, former President (2000 ECOWAS – 2003) and Prime Minister Kumba Iala of the The Economic Community of and Braima Pjalo of the African Na- West African States has condemned tional Congress. The other six con- the illegal seizing of power in testants ran as independents. Guinea Bissau and has called upon the mutineers to restore the coun- Voters’ turnout was estimated at try’s Constitutional order. An 55% and the elections were moni- ECOWAS delegation has also been tored by regional and international sent to Bissau to monitor develop- missions from the , ments and restore constitutional le- ECOWAS and the European Union. gitimacy. According to reports, the process took place in full transparency. A Nigeria run-off was required to determine Nigerian President Goodluck the winner. Jonathan has stressed his country’s However, tensions ran high given rejection of the military uprising in the outcome of the first round. On Guinea Bissau and has called upon 12 April, 2012 a military coup was the mutineers to withdraw and to staged, derailing the runoff which immediately release the detained was due on 29 April, 2012. Interim leaders and from any and all action President Pereira and former Prime likely to harm them. Nigeria, he Minister Gomes were detained al- said, was prepared to intervene, in legedly for protection purposes. The coordination with other ECOWAS mutineers announced that a plan members, to restore democracy and was already set in motion to estab- maintain the stability of Guinea Bis- lish a national transitional govern- sau. ment to defuse the crisis. United Nations Stances of Regional and Interna- Statements by the United Nations tional Parties Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon African Union have concentrated on rejecting the unconstitutional seizing of power Not only has the African Union and the need to immediately restore denounced the illegal seizing of Constitutional rule in Guinea Bis- power in Guinea Bissau, and urged sau. the mutineers to immediately relin-

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African Perspectives

Community of Portuguese Lan-  To send an ECOWAS force hail- guage Countries (CPLC) ing from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, The CPLP formed in 1996, held a Togo, and Senegal to meeting in Lisbon, Portugal on 14 ensure the immediate implemen- April, 2012, chaired by Angola. The tation of the roadmap. participants agreed that an inter- vention force be formed to serve un-  To set up a contact group led by der the United Nations flag and that Nigeria, with Ghana, Senegal, troops be deployed to assist Benin, Cape Verde, Togo and ECOWAS, AU and EU settlement Gambia as members, to monitor efforts. the implementation of the road- Crisis Resolution map through regular meetings. The crisis was resolved by means In a rapid response to the initia- of an ECOWAS-led initiative born tive, the mutineers agreed to at an extraordinary summit held in ECOWAS requests concerning the the Ivorian capital Abidjan on 26 transitional period, the intervention April, 2012. The decisions were: force and the release of detained  To swiftly reinstate civilian rule leaders. by holding elections within 12 months.

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