AU WATCH

Guinea- Bissau

Brief Overview

Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest and most fragile countries, has a population of about 1.8 million. Guinea-Bissau’s Atlantic Ocean coast is composed of an archipelago, the Bijagos, of more than 100 islands. It borders Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east, and despite its size, is host 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. The country is one of the most coup-prone and politically unstable countries in the world. Since independence, four successful coups have been recorded in Guinea-Bissau, with another 16 coups attempted, plotted, or alleged. In addition to military coups, frequent changes in government are another manifestation of the country’s political instability.

Outcomes of parliamentary elections on March 10 indicates a new configuration of the political picture, with no absolute majority. The results gave the African Independence Party of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) 47 ministers of parliament (MPs), followed by the Movement for a Democratic Alternative (MADEM-G15) with 27 MPs, Party for Social Renewal (PRS) has 21 MPs, APU has 5, and the United People’s Alliance (UM) and the New Democracy Party (PND) each have one parliamentarian. All political parties that disputed the 102 seats in Parliament accepted the verdict of the polls and expressed their willingness to work for the stabilization of Guinea-Bissau for the next four years.

Presidential Elections, according to the Constitution, are expected to take place by the end of 2019.

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Capital: Guinea-Bissau
Population: 1.8 million

Area: 36,125 sq km (13,948 sq miles)

Major languages: Portuguese, Crioulo – a form of Portuguese, African languages

Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity

Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 50 years (women)

Currency: CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc

UN, World Bank

President: Umaro Sissoco Embaló

Important Addresses and Contacts

Physical Contacts of the Presidency

Name of Minister:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Prime Minister’s Office

Name of Minister:

Address:

Telephone:

Fax:

Physical Contacts of the National Assembly

Name of Speaker of the House:

Address:
Telephone:

Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Chief Of State and Cabinet Ministers

Name of Minister:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Ministry of Interior

Name of Minister:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax

Physical Contacts of the Ministry of Justice

Name of Minister:

Address:

Telephone:

Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Name of Minister:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs

Name of Minister:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax:

Physical Contacts of the National Human Rights Commission

Name of Minister:

Address: 

Telephone:

Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Police

Name of Inspector General:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax:

Physical Contacts of the Military

Name of Inspector General:

Address:
Telephone:
Fax:

Important Information of Key Human Rights Issues in Guinea- Bissau

Number Prisons in Guinea- Bissau
Number Prisoners in Guinea- Bissau:
Secret Detention Centres:
Police Stations in Guinea- Bissau

Corruption in Guinea- Bissau

 

What are the current and ongoing human rights issues in Guinea- Bissau?

 

(1) Freedom of the Press

 

(2) Human Rights Defenders Issues

 

(3) Impunity

Membership of African Regional Organisations

 

African Union (AU)

Joined the OAU in 1987

Signed the Constitutive Act of The African Union on: 

Ratified:Instrument Deposited:

Key Regional Human Rights & Governance InstrumentsSigned and Ratified

 

  1. African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Signed: 

Ratified:

Instrument Deposited:

2.Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Signed: 

Ratified:

Instrument Deposited:

  1. Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

4.Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. Statute of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL)

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: – 

  1. African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention)

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: – 

  1. Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: – 

  1. Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –

  1. Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa

Signed:  –

Ratified: –

Instrument Deposited: –