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João Bernardo Vieira
João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira was a Bissau-Guinean politician who served as President of Guinea-Bissau from 1980 to 1999 and again from 2005 until his assassination in 2009. He came to power through a military coup that ousted President Luís Cabral in 1980, ruling as part of the Military Council of the Revolution until 1984. Vieira led the country through its transition to multiparty democracy, winning the presidential election in 1994.
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JOAO BERNADO VIEIRA
João Bernardo Vieira, born on April 27, 1939, in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea, was a prominent figure in Guinea-Bissau's fight for independence and its subsequent political history. Vieira, initially trained as an electrician, joined the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in 1960. Under the leadership of Amílcar Cabral, he became a crucial player in the guerrilla warfare against Portuguese colonial rule. Known by his nom de guerre "Nino," he quickly rose through the military ranks, demonstrating skill and leadership during the independence struggle.
Vieira belonged to the Papel ethnic group, which makes up a small portion of Guinea-Bissau's population. This set him apart from the country's army officers, who were predominantly from the Balanta ethnic group, creating tensions throughout his political career. After PAIGC's success in gaining control over regions of the country, Vieira was appointed president of the National People's Assembly in 1972. Following Portugal's 1974 revolution, which overthrew its Estado Novo regime, Guinea-Bissau achieved independence, and Luís Cabral became the nation's first president. However, economic challenges led to widespread dissatisfaction with Cabral's administration, culminating in a bloodless coup led by Vieira in November 1980.
As the head of the new government, Vieira suspended the constitution and established a military council, ruling through this structure until a new constitution was adopted in 1984, returning the country to civilian governance. During his tenure, he faced numerous challenges, including internal dissent. A failed coup attempt in 1986 resulted in the execution of six politicians, but Vieira later abolished capital punishment in 1993, reflecting a shift toward more democratic reforms.
By the early 1990s, Guinea-Bissau, like much of Sub-Saharan Africa, transitioned towards multiparty democracy. Under pressure from opposition groups, Vieira lifted the ban on political parties, paving the way for the first democratic presidential election in 1994. After a competitive race, he was elected as the first democratically chosen president of Guinea-Bissau. However, his leadership was soon tested by a civil war in 1998 after he dismissed military chief Ansumane Mané, accusing him of smuggling weapons. This dismissal triggered a military rebellion, with the country descending into conflict between Vieira's loyalists and Mané's supporters. Although a peace agreement was reached, calls for Vieira's resignation grew, and by May 1999, he was forced to surrender, seeking refuge in the Portuguese embassy before going into exile.
Vieira returned to Guinea-Bissau in 2005, after President Kumba Yalá's ousting in a military coup. He announced his intention to participate in the presidential elections, despite controversy over his eligibility due to his time in exile and unresolved legal issues. Cleared by the Supreme Court, he ran and won the 2005 presidential elections, marking his return to power. However, this second stint as president was marked by instability. Vieira dissolved the government led by Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, replacing him with his ally, Aristides Gomes, and later appointed other prime ministers in response to shifting political alliances and pressure.
In the midst of political turmoil, Vieira's presidency faced significant challenges, including an attempted coup in 2008. Rebellious soldiers attacked his residence, but Vieira survived the assault. Tensions persisted between him and military leaders, particularly with Army Chief of Staff Tagme Na Waie. The animosity between the two men eventually contributed to a violent chain of events. On March 1, 2009, Tagme Na Waie was killed in a bomb blast. Hours later, Vieira himself was assassinated while attempting to flee from his home, attacked by soldiers allegedly seeking retribution for Na Waie's death.
The circumstances of Vieira's death were brutal. Reports indicated that he was beaten before being shot, and some accounts even suggested that he was attacked with machetes after surviving an explosion. His death plunged the nation into further uncertainty, though the military assured the international community that constitutional order would be maintained, with Raimundo Pereira, the President of the National People's Assembly, stepping in as acting president.Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo%C3%A3o_Bernardo_Vieira
GOVERNING TIME LINE
João Bernardo Vieira was President of Guinea-Bissau from November 14, 1980, to May 7, 1999. He came to power through a coup that overthrew Luis Cabral. His rule faced criticism for authoritarianism and ended when he was ousted during a civil war. Vieira returned to power after winning the 2005 election but was assassinated on March 2, 2009.