Guinea-Bissau

Counting of votes is underway in Guinea-Bissau after Sunday's presidential and legislative election; President Embaló is in a tight contest to become the first leader in three decades to win a second consecutive term in the coup-prone West African nation

Portugal requested Guinea-Bissau's support on 2 November, Sunday as part of its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council

Experts say that with the main opposition candidates barred from contesting, the election scheduled this November is at risk of becoming an exercise to legitimize President Umaro Embalo, self-proclaimed in 2020

The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the "increase in attacks, threats and intimidation" against journalists and independent media outlets in Guinea-Bissau as the November elections approach

Portuguese media outlets have been expelled from the country, confirming a wider strategy to restrict press pluralism in the run-up to November's elections; Bissau-Guinean journalists' union and international press organizations have criticized the act

President has appointed by decree a new prime minister months ahead of key November election: Rui Duarte de Barros, who served as prime minister since December 2023, was replaced by Braima Camara, a former coordinator of the Madem G15 opposition party

The Nigerian Army has completed pre-deployment training of 174 soldiers that are soon to embark in a crucial peacekeeping mission in Guinea Bissau with ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission

President Umaro Sissoco was among the African heads of state to participate in the mini summit where US President Trump affirmed that 'shifting from AID to trade' would 'be far more effective and sustainable and beneficial'

A nationwide strike by education, health, and justice sector unions continues for the second week, crippling public services; the protest stems from unpaid salaries spanning 17 months, with doctors at the main hospital leading the action

Starlink satellite internet service was officially launched in Guinea-Bissau, seventh country in West Africa; the service aims to improve internet access where 67,5% of the population has been lacking internet connectivity

Four convicted drug traffickers have been transferred to the United States in a landmark extradition carried out under a judicial cooperation agreement; “Operation Landing”, carried out in September 2024 also resulted in the seizure of 2,6 tons of cocaine

Belarusian President Lukashenko expressed readiness to negotiate cooperation with Guinea-Bissau as he met with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau in Minsk on 7 May; all areas of activity are being considered, with a focus on agricolture

A group of 15 people, most of them women, have been arrested in the seaside resort of Varela, for allegedly taking part in an arson attack at a local heavy sands mine; the group includes an Italian businesswoman who works in the local hotel industry