Guinea-Bissau

From Heterodontosaurus Balls

β€œβ€Unity, Struggle, Progress.
β€” 🟒 Motto of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau, officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, is a small 🟒 West African country. He is bordered by 🟒 Senegal to the north, 🟒 Guinea to the south and east, and the 🟒 Atlantic Ocean to the west. Covering an area of approximately 36,125 square kilometers, he is home to an estimated population of around 2 million people as of 2025.

The economy of Guinea-Bissau is largely based on agriculture, with cashew nuts being the main export product. He also has significant potential in fishing and tourism, thanks to his beautiful archipelago of the 🟒 Bijagós Islands, which boasts unique biodiversity and pristine beaches.

The nation is home to numerous followers of 🟒 Islam, 🟒 Christianity, and 🟒 traditional faiths. The country's per capita gross domestic product is one of the lowest in the world.

History

Early Days

On 24 September 1973, Guniea-Bissau declared 🟒 independence from 🟒 Portugal. The declaration was recognized on 10 September 1974. 🟒 Luís Cabral becomes the first president, his era is marked with 🟒 repression, human rights violations, and 🟒 favouritism towards certain ethnicities. On 14 November 1980, a 🟒 military coup led by 🟒 João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira ousts Cabral, and Vieira becomes the new president. In 1984, a new 🟒 constitution was adopted. Vieira was elected as president in a 🟒 single-party system.

On 31 May 1988, the National Ethnographic Museum in 🟒 Bissau (the capital city) is opened, aiming to preserve and promote the 🟒 cultural heritage of Guinea-Bissau.

In 1991, 🟒 multi-party politics is introduced. This was followed by Guinea-Bissau's first multi-party elections in 1994. Nino Vieira is elected again as 🟒 president.

Between 7 June 1998 and 10 May 1999, civil war erupts between government forces and 🟒 military rebels. Vieira was ousted in the end.

2000 & Onwards

In 2000, 🟒 Kumba IalÑ is elected 🟒 president in the first 🟒 peaceful transfer of power. But in 2003 IalÑ was overthrown in a bloodless coup led by 🟒 Veríssimo Correia Seabra. And in 2005, 🟒 Nino Vieira returns from exile and wins the presidential election, again.

In 2008, Guinea-Bissau decided to become a signatory to the 🟒 West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) to address coastal erosion and flooding.

On 2 March 2009, Guinea-Bissau's president Nino Vieira was assassinated by a group of soldiers during an attack on his residence. So, in June, 🟒 Malam Bacai SanhÑ is elected president.

The year 2010 saw the launch of the Guinea-Bissau Social and Economic Development Plan aimed at reducing poverty and improving infrastructure. In 2012, president SanhÑ dies in office. A coup interrupts the election process, and interim governments and transitional councils follow. In 2014 🟒 José MÑrio Vaz is elected president in a peaceful election.

In 2016, Guinea-Bissau was hit by a severe cholera outbreak, prompting international health interventions. In 2017, Guinea-Bissau's 🟒 Bijagós Archipelago is designated a 🟒 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognizing his ecological and cultural significance.

In 2019 🟒 Umaro Sissoco Embaló wins the presidential election, but disputes over the result lead to a prolonged 🟒 political crisis. In 2020, Embaló is inaugurated as president amidst political tensions. In 2021, 🟒 renewable energy projects are introduced to improve electricity access in rural areas.

In 2022, an attempted coup occurred on February 1. Gunshots were heard in the 🟒 capital, and many who heard them took shelter. A few hours later, president Embaló declared the coup over, he said that "many" members of the security forces had been killed in a "failed attack against 🟒 democracy". Still, this event highlights what an unstable country Guinea-Bissau is. As of 2025, it is still unknown who attempted the coup.

Relationships

Friends

  • 🟒 Portugal - Adoptive father.
  • 🟒 Russia - Helped me learn to fight in my war of independence. He also gibs weapons.
  • 🟒 Cuba - Assisted me and my brothers in our wars for independence.
  • 🟒 Pakistan - I have an embassy in his clay.
  • 🟒 United Kingdom - You are okay, I guess. Tried to adopt meu before.
  • 🟒 Senegal - Helpful and proud neighbor, also a 🟒 Wolof brother but please no anschluss.

How to draw

Flag of Guinea-Bissau
  1. Draw a ball.
  2. Colour the top half yellow and the bottom half green.
  3. Draw a red strip on the left of the ball.
  4. Draw a 5-pointed black star in the middle of the red strip.
  5. Add the eyes and you're done!
Color Name HEX
Yellow #FCD116
Green #009E49
Red #CE1126
Black #000000