Joao Bernardo Vieira

Quick Facts: Who was Joao Bernardo Vieira?

Subject:

Joao Bernardo Vieira

Known for:

Bissau-Guinean politician who served as President of Guinea-Bissau multiple times.

Born:

1939-04-27

Died:

2009-03-02

Century / Era:

1939s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈɐ̃w bɨɾˈnaɾðu ˈninu viˈɐjɾɐ, ˈʒwɐ̃w -]; 27 April 1939 – 2 March 2009) was a Bissau-Guinean politician and military officer who served as President of Guinea-Bissau from 1980 to 1999, except for a three-day period in May 1984, and from 2005 until his assassination in 2009. After seizing power from President Luís Cabral in a military coup in 1980, Vieira ruled as part of the Military Council of the Revolution until 1984, when civilian rule was returned. Opposition parties were allowed in 1991, and Vieira won a multiparty presidential election in 1994. He was ousted at the end of the 1998–1999 civil war and went into exile. He made a political comeback in 2005, winning that year's presidential election.

Career & Major Achievements

Vieira was shot dead by soldiers on 2 March 2009, apparently in retaliation for a bomb blast at army headquarters that killed Guinea-Bissau's military chief General Batista Tagme Na Waie hours before. The military officially denied these allegations after unidentified Army officials claimed responsibility of Vieira for Na-Waie's death. Vieira described himself as "God's gift" to Guinea-Bissau during his tenure in office. Vieira was born in Bissau, then a city of Portuguese Guinea. Originally trained as an electrician, he joined the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) of Amílcar Cabral in 1960 and soon became a key player in the territory's guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Vieira was a member of the Papel ethnic group, which comprises approximately 5% of Guinea-Bissau's population. By contrast, most of Guinea-Bissau's army officers, with whom Vieira had a tense relationship throughout his career, are members of the Balanta ethnicity, which dominates the country. As the war in Portuguese Guinea intensified, Vieira demonstrated a great deal of skill as a military leader and rapidly rose through its ranks. Vieira was known to his comrades as "Nino" and this remained his nom de guerre for the duration of the struggle. He was the cousin of slain military leader Osvaldo Vieira.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1939 (1939-04-27): Birth of Joao Bernardo Vieira — Bissau-Guinean politician who served as President of Guinea-Bissau multiple times.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — Originally trained as an electrician, he joined the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) of Amílcar Cabral in 1960 and soon became a key player in the territory's guerrilla war against Portuguese colonial rule.
3. 1980: 1980 Milestone — After seizing power from President Luís Cabral in a military coup in 1980, Vieira ruled as part of the Military Council of the Revolution until 1984, when civilian rule was returned.
4. 1991: 1991 Milestone — Opposition parties were allowed in 1991, and Vieira won a multiparty presidential election in 1994.
5. 1998: 1998 Milestone — He was ousted at the end of the 1998–1999 civil war and went into exile.
6. 2005: 2005 Milestone — He made a political comeback in 2005, winning that year's presidential election.
7. 2009 (2009-03-02): Passing & Historical Legacy — Joao Bernardo Vieira passed away on 2009-03-02, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Joao Bernardo Vieira

“Vieira described himself as "God's gift" to Guinea-Bissau during his tenure in office.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Joao Bernardo Vieira

True or False: “João Bernardo Vieira was the first democratically elected president of Guinea-Bissau after winning a runoff election in 1994.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He won the second round of the presidential election on August 7, 1994, securing 52.02% of the vote.

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• 1939 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1939
• April 27 (04-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 27
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Frequently Asked Questions about Joao Bernardo Vieira