1 Guinea-Bissau Country Profile
Generic Information
Located in West Africa, Guinea-Bissau is bordered by Senegal to the north, by Guinea to the east and south, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
It covers 36,125 square kilometres (13,948 sq mi), with an estimated population of 1,759,159 inhabitants (July 2016 est.); of which: 51.6% are women and 50.2% are young people varying in age from 15 to 35 years (General Population and Housing Census, 2009).
Upon independence, declared in 1973 and recognised in 1974, the name of its capital, Bissau, was added to the country's name to prevent confusion with Guinea (formerly French Guinea, also referred to as Guinea-Conakry). Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability. Since independence no elected president has successfully served a full five-year term. The country is governed by the Constitution of 1996 which advocates the institution of liberal democracy.
Guinea-Bissau is endowed with significant forest, soil, mineral, water, animal, and fishing resources.
The national territory is divided into 8 administrative regions populated by a diversity of ethno linguistic groups. Bissau, the capital, is an Autonomous Sector.
The regions are:
The Bissagos Islands, also spelled Bijagó, are a group of about 88
islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of
the African nation of Guinea-Bissau. The archipelago was formed
from the ancient delta of the Rio Geba and the Rio Grande and spans
an area of 2,624 km2 (1,184 sq. miles).
Only some 20 islands are populated year-round, namely Bubaque which is where the Bissagos administrative capital is situated and is the most populated island, Bolama, Carache, Caravela, Enu, Formosa, Galinhas, João Vieira, Maio, Meneque, Orango, Orangozinho, Ponta, Roxa, Rubane, Soga, Unhacomo, Uno, and Uracane.
There is a high diversity of ecosystems: mangroves with intertidal zones, palm forests, dry and semi-dry forests, secondary and degraded forests, coastal savanna, sand banks and aquatic zones. The archipelago was declared in 1996 a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—Boloma Bijagós Biosphere Reserve, and the southern islands are today a nature reserve.
The population is estimated at about 30,000 (2006) and the local ethnic group known as Bijago predominates. It is a relatively youthful population due to high birth rates and low life expectancy even by African standards.
(Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Guinea-Bissau)
Find the country in the generic links below:
Wikipedia Information for Guinea Bissau: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea-Bissau
CIA World Factbook Guinea Bissau: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pu.html
Development Datahub: http://data.devinit.org/#!/country/guinea-bissau
Economist Intelligence Unit for Guinea Bissau: http://country.eiu.com/guinea-bissau *
(* Note – this is a paid service)
Humanitarian Info
Guinea Bissau World Food Programme Information https://www.wfp.org/countries/guinea-bissau/overview
Facts and Figures:
Wolfram Alpha Information on Guinea-Bissau
1.1 Guinea-Bissau Humanitarian Background
Disasters, Conflicts and Migration
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Natural Disasters |
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Type |
Occurs |
Comments / Details |
|
Drought |
No |
Diminished rain average are reported mainly in land where deforestation occurred. Deforested land is reported to be progressively suffering from drought. It is a recent phenomenon, no exact data is yet available on the effects. |
|
Earthquakes |
No |
|
|
Epidemics |
Yes |
Epidemics of cholera reported cases in 2005-2006 and 2008. The highest attack rates were registered in Bissau, Biombo, Bijagos and Oio. Hygiene and sanitation conditions might give room to epidemics of Diarrhoea and Cholera, as well as Malaria. Though Guinea-Bissau has never known cases of Ebola virus disease, the virus is still being monitored. Additionally, monitoring is ongoing for suspected cases of ZIKA allegedly by carriers from Brazil. An epidemic monitoring system is in place. The warning and/or public preparedness system that can lead a quick and correct response in case of any hazards is weak. |
|
Extreme Temperatures |
No |
|
|
Flooding |
Yes |
High tidal waves and unnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods, common after heavy rains cause loss of crops and livestock, damage to homes and degradation of the environment. |
|
Insect Infestation |
No |
|
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Mudslides |
No |
|
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Volcanic Eruptions |
No |
|
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High Waves / Surges |
No |
|
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Wildfires |
No |
|
|
High Winds |
No |
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Other Comments |
|
|
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Man-Made Issues |
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Civil Strife |
Yes |
Some instability. The history of Guinea-Bissau has been marked by several armed conflicts, particularly the civil war of 1998-1999. There has been some political instability with coup d’états in 1980, 2003 and 2012, attempted coups in 1985 and 1993, and recent political/military tensions in April 2010, December 2011 and October 2012. Following the conduct of successful democratic elections in 2014, the Transitional Government period ended and previous cycles of upsetting the constitutional order by armed means ceased. Since August 2014, four Governments have succeeded each other. Civil Unrest: Demonstrations are usually peaceful. Strikes are also common but carried out in an orderly manner. |
|
International Conflict |
No |
|
|
Internally Displaced Persons |
No |
|
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Refugees Present |
Yes |
8,601 (country of origin: Senegal - reference CIA world Factbook 2015).Refugees are largely absorbed in the community. UNHCR focuses on legal assistance for citizenship rights obtainment. |
|
Landmines / UXO Present |
Yes |
The US State Department issued a new travel warning for Guinea-Bissau describing “thousands of landmines” across the country, highlighting the risk in rural areas north of Bissau. Guinea-Bissau has declared itself free of anti-personnel landmines so these mines could be anti-tank mines. (May 2015) |
|
Other Comments |
Generally minimal threat of natural disasters. No records of serious floods, droughts, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones or landslides. Durign the rainy season, high winds and heavy rains are common which can occasionally cause damage to buildings and result in crop loss. Overall the country suffers a fragility due to poor infrastructure, lack of response mechanisms, and political instability. Specialization on one main export production (cashew), and insufficient food production makes it partially dependent on import. |
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For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see
the Centre for
Research on Epidemiology of
Disasters Country
Profile
Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities
|
Seasonal Effects on Transport |
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|
Transport Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
|
Primary Road Transport |
March to August June to October |
Connected with the harvest of the main country crop, Caju, or Cashew Nut, trucks can be scarcely available. Rainy Season - rains can moderately affect transport on primary roads |
|
Secondary Road Transport |
March to August June to October |
Same as above |
|
Rail Transport |
N/A |
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Air Transport |
N/A |
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Sea Transport |
June to August June to October |
Congestion at port (ships and trucks) due to cashew exportation Rainy Season - offloading vessels with sensitive bulk cargo can be impacted. Delays and some cargo loss can be expected. (eg: rice) |
|
Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling |
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|
Activity Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
|
Storage |
From March to August |
Warehouses are used to store cashew nuts. Storage space availability is scarce. Prices increase. |
|
Handling |
From March to August |
Much labour force is involved in cashew harvest and transport. |
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Other |
N/A |
|
Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response
Government
Government capacity to respond to emergencies is limited.
Due to political and institutional instability, a high turnover of key roles in government institutions does not allow for well-established practices. There is no government emergency response coordination mechanism in place.
During the Ebola outbreak that invested the neighbour countries in 2014, Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister nominated a High Commissioner for an ad hoc coordination role to work with UN and all agencies involved.
The Health Emergency Operation Centre - Centro de Operações para Emergências de Saúde (COES), established within the MoH and under the authority of the Health Minister, have a role of collecting epidemiological data. It have a role of preparedness and response coordination for health emergencies.
The Civil Protection department Sistema Nacional de Proteção Civil was instituted in 2011. It does not have enough means for effective intervention.
Military assets are not used for humanitarian emergency intervention.
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Guinea-Bissau Government Contact List
Humanitarian Community
The United Nations Office for Peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) is an integrated field mission.
UNIOGBIS has four subdivisions working under the direction of the Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs : (1) Political Affairs Section; (2) Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section; (3) Human Rights and Gender Section and, which also represents the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); (4) Public Unit Information Unit
The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Guinea Bissau, is coordinated by the Deputy Special Representative/UN Resident Coordinator, includes the following agencies, resident in Guinea Bissau:
FAO, UNWOMEN, OHCHR, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and WHO
Non-resident agencies: ILO, OCHA, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, UNHABITAT. UNAIDS, UNODC and UNHABITAT also have project offices in Bissau..
Find details in: https://uniogbis.unmissions.org/en/integration-united-nations-system
For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Guinea-Bissau Humanitarian Agency Contact List
1.2 Guinea-Bissau Regulatory Departments and Quality Control
Due to the ongoing political and institutional instability the regulatory departments and quality control are not operational. For product importation, quality declaration needs to be made in the sending countries.
For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links:
4.1 Guinea-Bissau Government Contact List
1.3 Guinea-Bissau Customs Information
Guinea-Bissau Customs Information
Duties and Tax Exemption
Emergency Response:
No streamlined process for crisis times has been formalized
|
Agreements / Conventions Description |
Ratified by Country? (Yes / No) |
|
WCO (World Customs Organization) member |
Yes since 19 August 2010 |
|
Annex J-5 Revised Kyoto Convention |
No |
|
OCHA Model Agreement |
No |
|
Tampere Convention (on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations) |
No |
|
Regional Agreements (on emergency/disaster response, but also customs unions, regional integration) |
Member of ECOWAS |
Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response):
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Organizational Requirements to obtain Duty Free Status |
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United Nations Agencies |
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Registration with Ministério Afares Estrangeiros |
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Non Governmental Organizations |
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Registration with Ministério Afares Estrangeiros |
Exemption Certificate Application Procedure:
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Duties and Taxes Exemption Application Procedure |
|
Generalities (include a list of necessary documentation) |
|
|
Process to be followed (step by step or flowchart) |
|
Humanitarian organizations are tax exempted when importing humanitarian goods. The organization must send an official request - Nota Verbal - for exemption, signed ad stamped, to:
Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Cooperação Internacional e Comunidades Direção Geral do Protocolo de Estado, Bissau
c/c: Finance Ministry Depending on the nature of the goods, other competent ministries must also be copied. (eg: Drugs: Health Ministry) Clearing and Forwarding Agent
The Finance Ministry will evaluate the documents and authorize Customs Authorities to proceed with custom clearance process. |
The exemption legislation promulgated by the “Ministério dos negócios estrangeiros” is inserted in the Boletim Oficial. – In ANNEX
The below articles concern the importation of goods and equipment:
- Lei 2/95 do “Regime geral de isenções publicado no 24 Maio 1995
- Artigo 28 - Capitulo V “Mercadorias enviadas a organizações de natureza caritativa ou humanitária”
- Artigo 45 Secção IV “Organizações não-governamentais” e Secção V “Missões diplomáticas e consulares e organismos internacionais
Exemption Certificate Document Requirements
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Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificate Document Requirements (by commodity) |
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|
Food |
NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) |
Medicines |
Vehicle & Spare Parts |
Staff & Office Supplies |
Telecoms Equipment |
|
Invoice |
Yes Original
|
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents |
AWB/BL/ACQUI Original 1 copy |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates |
Original 1 copy |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Packing Lists |
Yes |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Other Documents |
|
|
Approval from Ministry of Health |
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|
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Additional Notes |
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Customs Clearance
General Information
|
Customs Information |
|
|
Embargoes |
None |
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Prohibited Items |
Drugs, Weapon, Protected Species, Plastic bags |
|
General Restrictions |
|
Customs Clearance Document Requirements
|
Customs Clearance Document Requirements (by commodity) |
||||||
|
|
Food |
NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) |
Medicines |
Vehicles & Spare Parts |
Staff & Office Supplies |
Telecoms Equipment |
|
D&T Exemption Certificate |
Yes, Original, 1 copy, applies to both UN and NGO |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Invoice |
Yes 1 copy |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents |
Yes 1 copy original |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates |
Yes 1 copy |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Packing Lists |
Yes 1 copy |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Phytosanitary Certificate |
Quality certificate |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Other Documents |
|
|
Approval from Ministry of Health |
|
|
|
|
Additional Notes |
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Electronic and communication equipment There are no restriction to electronic and communication importation, including VSAT, HF and VHF equipment. UN agencies and NGO are tax exempted for importation and obtaining frequency licence.
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Transit Regime
Commodities destined foranother country can be escorted to the indicated border. All customs clearance related documents must report – IN TRANSIT – caption.
Price of the escort service is 50.000 FCFA/truck
Main Customs Offices:
Bissau is the National Customs office.
Bafatá and Gabu offices for the East Region, supervising entry points from Senegal and Guinea.
Sao Domingos Custom office is the main office for North Region supervising entry point from Senegal
Contacts
For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 4.1 Guinea-Bissau Government Contact List