According to ehistorylib, in 2005, Guinea-Bissau had a population of approximately 1.5 million people, composed of Guinean-Bissaun nationals and other ethnic minorities. The main language spoken was Portuguese, with other regional languages having official status in certain areas. The economy in 2005 was largely based on agriculture and services, with a strong emphasis on exports. Foreign trade was an important part of the economy and Guinea-Bissau had strong ties to its African neighbors as well as other countries around the world. Foreign relations in 2005 were mostly positive with the country having diplomatic ties to most countries around the world. Politically, Guinea-Bissau was a republic under President João Bernardo Vieira who had been in power since 1984 following elections which saw his Party for Social Renewal win a majority of votes. In 2005 there were multiple political parties operating in the country including both left-wing and right-wing parties as well as a free press which helped to ensure press freedom.
Yearbook 2005
Guinea Bissau is a country located in Africa as noted by Abbreviationfinder. At the beginning of the year, tensions rose for the presidential election, which in March was postponed to June 19. Delays in the establishment of voting lengths were said to be the cause. The ruling party African Independence Party of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in the spring appointed Malam Bacai Sanhá as its candidate in the election. Opposition Party At the end of March, the Party for Social Renewal (PRS) elected former President Kumba Ialá as his candidate, although he was formally not entitled to stand. Former dictator João Bernardo Vieira, who was president from 1980-99, also exerted pressure to participate. When Ialá was deposed in 2003, he was banned from working politically until 2008, while Vieira, who was overthrown in a military coup in 1999, was hampered by a section that does not allow anyone who has been granted political asylum to take part in elections. In May, the Supreme Court gave clear signs for both Ialá and Vieira to run for office in the presidential election. It was stated that Ialá had not voluntarily signed his resignation when he was deposed. The fact that Vieira was allowed to stand was because the court considered that he had interrupted his country flight by a three-day visit to his home country in April. He was an independent candidate, but he led PAIGC during his time. Before the election, he received support from several members of his old party. According to countryaah, Bissau is the capital and one of the major cities within the country of Guinea-Bissau.
In a May poll, Ialá said he was still the country’s president. Later that month, the former president and some of his men occupied the presidential palace for a few hours. Tensions in the country were also heightened by uncertainty over where the military had their loyalty.
In the June 19 presidential election, 13 candidates participated. Nearly nine out of ten voters voted, and the election could be carried out in order. As expected, Sanhá, Vieira and Ialá received the most votes. None of them had enough support to win now. A second and decisive election round was held between Sanhá and Vieira on July 24. Before that, Ialá’s supporters had continued to worry by claiming that their candidate lost due to election fraud. Several people lost their lives in connection with protests.
The result in the second round, won by Vieira, was also disputed. PAIGC demanded that the election be redone in three regions where, according to the party, irregularities had occurred. However, according to official figures, Vieira, who went to elections on promises to create stability in the country, had received 52% of the vote against 48% for Sanhá. About a month later, PAIGC also approved the election results, and on October 1, Vieira was able to take office as president.
Vieira emphasized that he wanted to work for national reconciliation. At the same time, it became clear that the collaboration with Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Júnior, from PAIGC, was gnawing. At the end of October, the government was allowed to leave, and a few days later, Vieira, via decree, appointed its campaign manager Aristides Gomes as new head of government. Gomes had previously been vice president and member of PAIGC. Another 13 of PAIGC’s MPs decided to support Vieira. However, the party retained its majority in parliament.
In June, G. was affected by a cholera epidemic that, by the end of December, had claimed 399 lives and over 25,000 people had been infected. The infection spread throughout the fall throughout the country, but the worst affected were the regions of Bissau and Bimbo. At the end of the year, the government said the epidemic was over.
