Politics & Government Guide · Guinea-BissauPolitics & Government Guide in Guinea-Bissau
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions
Guinea-Bissau is currently under military rule following a coup on November 26, 2025, which suspended contested presidential election results. The country operates as a semi-presidential republic with a unicameral legislature, but democratic institutions have been severely disrupted. A transitional government led by General Horta N'Tam is overseeing a one-year transition period back to constitutional order, with significant political instability and weak governance indicators characterizing the nation.
Political Stability
Below Average
Corruption Index
Poor
Democracy Index
Below Average
Government Type
Semi-presidential republic
Legal System
Mixed legal system based on Portuguese civil law and customary law
Head of State
President Horta Inta-A Na Man(since 2025)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Ilídio Vieira Té(Madem G15)since 2025
Political Indicators
Political Stability
Scale: 0-1
Unstable
World Bank Political Stability Index (2024)
Corruption Index
Scale: 0-100
Transparency International (2024)
Press Freedom
Scale: 0-100
Reporters Without Borders (2024)
Democracy Index
Scale: 0-10
Hybrid regime
Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Center-left
Center-right
Center
Voting Rights
All citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote in presidential and legislative elections. The President is elected through majority vote to a renewable 5-year term and may not run for a third consecutive term. All 102 members of the People's National Assembly are elected through list proportional representation to a 4-year term.
Recent Developments
- Military coup on November 26, 2025, led by High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order, suspending presidential election results
- Installation of transitional government with General Horta N'Tam as transitional president and one-year transition period announced
- Dissolution of Superior Council of the Judiciary on December 4, 2025, as part of post-coup measures
- Establishment of 65-member National Transition Council including senior military officers as legislative body during transition
- Transitional charter adopted barring interim president and prime minister from contesting future elections
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