2003 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état

The 2003 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état was the bloodless military coup that took place in Guinea-Bissau on 14 September 2003, led by General Veríssimo Correia Seabra against incumbent President Kumba Ialá. Seabra referred to the "incapacity" of Ialá's government as justification for the takeover, together with a stagnant economy, political instability, and military discontent over unpaid salaries.[1][2] Ialá publicly announced his resignation on 17 September,[2] and a political agreement signed that month prohibited him from participating in politics for five years. A civilian-led transitional government led by businessman Henrique Rosa and PRS secretary general Artur Sanhá was set up at the end of September.[3][4]

2003 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état

Map of Guinea-Bissau.
Date14 September 2003
Location11°51′N 15°34′W / 11.850°N 15.567°W / 11.850; -15.567
Result

Coup attempt succeeds with minimum disruption.

Belligerents

Guinea-Bissau Government of Guinea-Bissau

Military Committee for the Restoration of Constitutional and Democratic Order

Commanders and leaders
Kumba Ialá Veríssimo Correia Seabra
Casualties and losses
No casualties reported.
2003 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état is located in Guinea-Bissau
2003 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état
Nexus of coup in Bissau (marked green), Guinea-Bissau

Analysis

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The coup was largely seen as inevitable due to the deteriorating living conditions and erratic behavior of President Kumba Ialá, which had led to severe political instability and economic mismanagement. Although the international community condemned the unconstitutional seizure of power, there was a general acknowledgment that the coup was a necessary intervention to prevent further chaos, as democratic norms had been repeatedly violated under Ialá's regime.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "GUINEA-BISSAU: Army ousts president who kept delaying elections", IRIN, 14 September 2003.
  2. ^ a b Bissau junta set to step down, BBC News Online, 18 September 2003.
  3. ^ "Interim government takes over Bissau", BBC News Online, 28 September 2003.
  4. ^ "GUINEA-BISSAU: Junta insists on Artur Sanha as prime minister", IRIN, 23 September 2003.
  5. ^ Ferreira, Patrícia Magalhães (2004). "Guinea-Bissau: Between conflict and democracy". African Security Review. 13 (4): 44–56. doi:10.1080/10246029.2004.9627317. ISSN 1024-6029.