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CHRONOLOGY-Guinea-Bissau's history of coups and strife
08 Aug 2008 22:01:55 GMT
 Source: Reuters
Aug 8 (Reuters) - Military officers in Guinea-Bissau tried to stage a coup last week as the West African nation faced a political crisis, the armed forces spokesman said on Friday.

The latest turmoil comes as the country faces a political crisis after President Joao Bernardo Vieira dissolved parliament and removed the government, and amid growing diplomatic pressure to stem a booming cocaine trade through the country.

Following are key events in the history of the former Portuguese colony and its recent political crisis.

July 1961 - The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) launches a guerrilla war against Portuguese rule.

Jan 20, 1973 - PAIGC leader Amilcar Cabral is assassinated by PAIGC dissidents; PAIGC unilaterally declares Guinea-Bissau independent.

Sept 10, 1974 - The state is officially established and Cabral's brother Luis becomes president.

Nov 14, 1980 - Prime Minister Joao Bernado Vieira overthrows Cabral; military-dominated revolutionary council takes control.

July/Aug, 1994 - Multi-party presidential and legislative elections are held. Vieira wins presidential election in a runoff against Kumba Yala.

May 7, 1999 - Soldiers topple Vieira in a dispute over implementation of the transition.

Nov 28, 1999 - Presidential election held; Yala wins most first round votes, followed by PAIGC leader Malam Bacai Sanha, who briefly led transition period. Yala wins runoff in January 2000 against Sanha.

Sept 14, 2003 - Army chief of staff General Verissimo Correia Seabra declares himself interim president after the army seizes power and pledges to restore constitutional order following repeated delays to new elections. Yala formally resigns three days later.

July 28, 2005 - Former military ruler Joao Bernardo Vieira announced winner of July 24 runoff vote against Malam Bacai Sanha of the main PAIGC. Sanha's supporters say they reject the results, although PAIGC later accepts result.

Nov 2 - President Vieira names close ally, Aristides Gomes, as prime minister after sacking the administration of his political rival Carlos Gomes Junior on Oct. 28.

March 29, 2007 - Aristides Gomes resigns as prime minister after three main parties, PAIGC, Social Renewal Party (PRS) and the United Social Democratic Party (PUSD), sign up to a "stability pact" and carry a no-confidence vote against him.

Feb 29, 2008 - PAIGC withdraws support for Prime Minister Martinho Ndafa Kabi, breaking year-old stability pact. July 27, 2008 - Opposition PAIGC announces it is pulling out of national unity government after its representatives are sacked from senior financial posts.

Aug 6 - Rear-Admiral Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, the head of the Navy, is suspended and put under house arrest.

Aug 8 - Army says military officers tried to stage coup a week earlier. Na Tchuto and other officers being questioned.


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