Formerly known as Portuguese Guinea, Guinea-Bissau declared independence on 24 September 1973 after a ten-year independence war led by the PAIGC (Republican Party for Independence and Development). Since then, the political life of the country has been marked by numerous coups d’etat, the last of which took place following the death of President Malam Bacai Sanhá (9 January 2012), when the military took over (12 April); free elections have been held since 2014. According to the Constitution of 16 May 1984, the President of the Republic is elected by direct suffrage for a five-year term and has executive powers. The National Assembly is made up of 102 members elected for four years.

The main crops are rice for subsistence and cashew nuts for exportation; part of the fishing catch is also exported. There are substantial contributions of international aid. The country owns reserves of bauxite and phosphate; prospecting for gas and oil is underway. The “unofficial” economy is very important (the country is a key crossroads for drug-trafficking between South America and Europe).