Guinea-Bissau - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Guinea-Bissau, it was the country is partly named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea; the name itself is derived from the Tuareg word aginaw, meaning "black people;" Bissau, the name of the capital city, distinguishes the country from neighboring Guinea and is derived from the local Bijuga people. The Government system in this country is the semi-presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama/Bijagos, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
National symbols

Black star.

The flag
The National flag of Guinea-Bissau has .
The National Anthem
Title
Lyric/music
More about the government of Guinea-Bissau
Date of Independence 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
National holiday Independence Day, 24 September (1973)
Legal system mixed system of civil law, which incorporated Portuguese law at independence; influenced by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), African Francophone Public Law, and customary law
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitution
History Promulgated 16 May 1984
Amendment process Proposed by the National People’s Assembly if supported by at least one third of its members, by the Council of State (a presidential consultant body), or by the government; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government and national sovereignty cannot be amended
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth yes
Citizenship by descent only yes
Dual citizenship recognized no
Residency requirement for naturalization 5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state Interim President Gen. Horta Nta Na MAN (since 27 November 2025)
Head of government Interim Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira TE (since 28 November 2025)
Cabinet Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Election/appointment process president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for up to 2 consecutive 5-year terms; prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly
Most recent election date 23 November 2025
Election results
2025: Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (Madem G15) and Fernando DIAS da Costa (PRS) both claimed victory in first round; a coup prevented the release of election results after ballots were destroyed

2019: Umaro Sissoco EMBALO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Domingos Simoes PEREIRA (PAIGC) 40.1%, Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (Madem G15) 27.7%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (APU-PDGB) 13.2%, Jose Mario VAZ (independent) 12.4%, other 6.6%; percent of vote in second round - Umaro Sissoco EMBALO 53.6%, Domingos Simoes PEREIRA 46.5% (2019)
Expected date of next election 2025
Legislative branch
Legislature name People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular)
Legislative structure Unicameral
Number of seats 102 (all directly elected)
Electoral system Proportional representation
Scope of elections Full renewal
Term in office 4 years
Most recent election date 11/23/2025
Parties elected and seats per party Inclusive Alliance Platform/Terra Coalition (54); Movement for Democratic Alternation (MADEM G.15) (29); Party for Social Renewal (PRS) (12); Bissau-Guinean Workers’ Party (6); Other (1)
Percentage of women in chamber 9.8%
Expected date of next election November 2029
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (consists of 9 judges and organized into Civil, Criminal, and Social and Administrative Disputes Chambers)
Judge selection and term of office Judges nominated by the Higher Council of the Magistrate, a major government organ responsible for judge appointments, dismissals, and judiciary discipline; judges appointed by the president for life
Subordinate courts Appeals Court; regional (first instance) courts; military court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Maria Da Conceição NOBRE CABRAL (since 18 September 2024)
Chancery 918 16th Street, NW (Mezzanine Suite)
Washington DC 20006
Telephone [1] (202) 872-4222
FAX [1] (202) 872-4226
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Michael RAYNOR (since 20 April 2022)
Mailing address 2080 Bissau Place, Washington DC  20521-2080
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://gw.usmission.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 1 (natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô (n)
Key Political parties and their leaders in Guinea-Bissau
    • International organization participation
  • ACP
  • AfDB
  • AOSIS
  • AU
  • CPLP
  • ECOWAS
  • FAO
  • FZ
  • G-77
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IDB
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • IPU
  • ITSO
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • MIGA
  • MINUSMA
  • NAM
  • OIC
  • OIF
  • OPCW
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • WADB (regional)
  • WAEMU
  • WCO
  • WFTU (NGOs)
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO
    • All Important Facts about Guinea-Bissau

    Want to know more about Guinea-Bissau? Check all different factbooks for Guinea-Bissau below.

    Guinea-Bissau is found in Western Africa