João Bernardo Vieira
João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈɐ̃w bɨɾˈnaɾðu ˈninu viˈɐjɾɐ, ˈʒwɐ̃w -]; 27 April 1939 – 2 March 2009) was a Bissau-Guinean politician 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.
João Bernardo Vieira | |
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Vieira in 2007 | |
| 2nd President of Guinea-Bissau | |
| In office 1 October 2005 – 2 March 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Carlos Gomes Aristides Gomes Martinho Ndafa Kabi Carlos Correia Carlos Gomes |
| Preceded by | Henrique Rosa (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Raimundo Pereira (Acting) |
| In office 16 May 1984 – 7 May 1999 | |
| Vice President | Paulo Correia Iafai Camará Manuel dos Santos 'Manecas' Vasco Cabral |
| Preceded by | Carmen Pereira (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Ansumane Mané |
| In office 14 November 1980 – 14 May 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Victor Saúde Maria |
| Vice President | Victor Saúde Maria |
| Preceded by | Luís de Almeida Cabral |
| Succeeded by | Carmen Pereira (Acting) |
| 3rd Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau | |
| In office 28 September 1978 – 14 November 1980 | |
| President | Luís de Almeida Cabral |
| Preceded by | Constantino Teixeira |
| Succeeded by | Victor Saúde Maria |
| Vice President of Guinea-Bissau | |
| In office March 1977 – 14 November 1980 | |
| President | Luis Cabral |
| Prime Minister | Francisco Mendes Constantino Teixeira himself |
| Preceded by | Umaru Djaló |
| Succeeded by | Victor Saúde Maria |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 April 1939 Bissau, Portuguese Guinea |
| Died | 2 March 2009 (aged 69) Bissau, Guinea-Bissau |
| Cause of death | Murdered by soldiers |
| Resting place | Bissau Municipal Cemetery (2009-2020) Fortaleza de São José da Amura (since november 2020) |
| Political party | PAIGC Independent |
| Spouse | Isabel Romana Vieira |
| Religion | Catholic Church |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Guinea-Bissau |
| Branch/service | Revolutionary Armed Forces of the People |
| Years of service | 1961–1999 |
| Battles/wars | Guinea-Bissau War of Independence |
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President of Guinea-Bissau 1980-1984,1984-1999,2005-2009
Government First second
third Others Battles/wars
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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.
Vieira was killed by soldiers on 2 March 2009, apparently in retaliation for a bomb blast 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.