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Powersharing Transitional Government – 1999

On 20 February 1999, an interim government of national unity was sworn in. The cabinet included 16 members and was led by Prime Minister Francisco Fadul, who had been an advisor to General Mane. Among the 16 members, President Vieira and Mane had chosen eight members each. The government was to be in power until new elections were held. Elections were expected to be held in 1999.¹

On May 14, 1999, only one week after President ‘Nino’ had been overthrown, the Speaker of the National Assembly and a prominent member of PAIGC, Malam Bacai Sanhá, was sworn in as interim President of the Republic, pending democratic elections. With the exception of a few minor nuances, this action was in accordance with the 1996 constitution, which allowed an interim president to be in office for a maximum of 60 days.² Malam Bacai Sanhá was expected to remain in office from May 14 until after the elections began on November 28; thus his term would last for more than 60 days. It was also evident that the old parliament, elected in 1994, remained in office for much longer than the four years foreseen by the constitution. However, there was also an article (94.2) which stated that the members would retain their mandates until a new parliament had been elected. These changes were formalized in the “pact on the political transition” approved by parliament, the fourteen legally constituted political parties, the transitional government, and the military junta. The pact was described as a framework for leading the country back to “constitutional normality”.³ The transitional government under Prime Minister Francisco Fadul continued in office.

All this was not only in the spirit of the constitution, but also in accord with the West African and internationally backed Abuja Peace Agreement of November 1, 1998. The final and only point of the peace agreement that had not yet been implemented (although power-sharing by or with President Vieira was no longer possible) was democratic elections. The November 28, 1999 date for the first round of these elections had paradoxically been set by the reluctant ex-President himself, only a few days before he was forced out. It was confirmed in the transition pact.

The war was thus over and government institutions were in place. On June 6, 1999, President ‘Nino’ Vieira was allowed to leave the Portuguese embassy to seek political asylum in Portugal, by way of The Gambia. Vieira signed a document declaring that he was prepared to return to stand trial in Bissau in exchange for legal guarantees. He did not return. Politicians and military officers reiterated their agreement on democratic elections and the return to peace. But the state treasury was empty and the economy was almost paralyzed. The donors were skeptical. The authority of the state was dependent on the military might of the victorious ‘junta’.The months that followed were marked by the civilian government’s efforts to establish its authority and the military’s endeavors to “remain in the barracks.”⁴

Multiparty elections for the legislature and president took place on 28 November 1999. In the legislative elections, the Social Renewal Party (PRS) won more seats and more votes than other political parties. None of the candidates emerged as a clear winner in the presidential elections. The second round of presidential elections was set to be held in January 2000.⁵

1. “Guinea-Bissau interim government is sworn in,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, February 20, 1999.
2. Constituição da República, Article 71.3, 1996; Lei Constitucional, under revision in parliament, 1999.
3. Lars Rudeback, On Democracy’s Sustainability: Transition in Bissau, (Sida, Stockholm: Sida Studies no. 4, 2001), www.didinho.org/TRANSICAOPOLITICALARSRUDEBECK.pdf.
4. Ibid.,33-34.
5. “African Elections Database”, African Elections Databae – Elections in Guinea-Bissau, accessed December 18, 2012, http://africanelections.tripod.com/gw.html#1999_National_Peoples_Assembl…