International Crisis Group
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Guinea-Bissau| West Africa
CrisisWatch database
Recent reports and briefings

Crisis Group started reporting on Guinea-Bissau in July 2008. The West Africa team, from its base in Dakar, focuses on continued threats to stability in the country as well as the urgent need for political and institutional reforms to consolidate democracy. Since emerging from Portuguese colonial rule in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced a recurrent cycle of political crises and coups d’etat, while criminal networks have proliferated. In the absence of effective state and security structures, the country has become a prime transit point for drug trafficking from Latin America to Europe and there remains a real risk of it becoming Africa’s first narco-state.   

Following the sucessful legislative elections of November 2008, there were some hopes for a renewed momentum for socio-political stability and reforms. But the assassinations of the army chief General Tagme Na Wai and President Nino Vieira in March 2009 has plunged the country once again into deep political uncertainty. The killings underscore the influence of the military’s involvement in politics and its profound implications for stability and democracy in the country. widespread impunity and criminality, along with the collapse of the justice system, pose additional challenges. Significant efforts are required to effect fundamental changes to the way the country is governed and avoid it sliding into further violence and instability. Crisis Group analysts continue to assess these threats and challenges, advocating concrete steps to advance security system reform and institution building and to strengthen the democratic process.

Our reports on Guinea-Bissau are listed below, starting with the most recent. You can also search for relevant reports using the search box in the top right hand side of this page.

Articles, op-eds, speeches and media releases can be found under the media section.


Recent reports & briefings