List of Presidents of Guinea-Bissau: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Guinea-Bissau from 1973 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Guinea-Bissau, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Guinea-Bissau: Horta Inta-A Na Man (in office since 2025).

Presidents of Guinea-Bissau in order, with years in office

Luís Cabral

Served: 1973–1980

Chairman of the Council of State and the first president after the 1973 declaration of independence; deposed in the coup of 14 November 1980.

João Bernardo Vieira

Served: 1980–1999, 2005–2009

Seized power in the 1980 coup and led until he was deposed in May 1999; returned after the 2005 election and was assassinated on 2 March 2009.

Carmen Pereira

Served: 1984 (acting)

Acted as chairwoman of the Council of State for two days in May 1984.

Ansumane Mané

Served: 1999

Brigadier general who led the military junta for seven days after the May 1999 coup against Vieira.

Malam Bacai Sanhá

Served: 1999–2000 (acting), 2009–2012

Acting president from May 1999 to February 2000; elected in 2009 and died in office on 9 January 2012.

Kumba Yala

Served: 2000–2003

Elected in the 1999–2000 vote and deposed in the coup of 14 September 2003.

Veríssimo Correia Seabra

Served: 2003

General who led the military committee for 14 days after the 2003 coup.

Henrique Rosa

Served: 2003–2005 (acting)

Independent who served as acting president for two years, until October 2005.

Raimundo Pereira

Served: 2009, 2012 (acting)

Acted as president after Vieira's assassination in 2009 and again after Sanhá's death in 2012, until he was deposed in the coup of 12 April 2012.

Mamadu Ture Kuruma

Served: 2012

Major general who chaired the military command for 29 days after the April 2012 coup.

Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo

Served: 2012–2014 (acting)

Acting president for more than two years, from May 2012 to June 2014.

José Mário Vaz

Served: 2014–2020

Elected in 2014 and in office until February 2020.

Cipriano Cassamá

Served: 2019 (acting)

Acted as president for two days in June 2019, during a dispute over the end of José Mário Vaz's mandate.

Umaro Sissoco Embaló

Served: 2020–2025

Won the 2019 runoff and took office on 27 February 2020; deposed in the coup of 26 November 2025, the day before election results were due.

Dinis Incanha

Served: 2025

Chief of the High Command who was de facto head of state for one day after the November 2025 coup.

Horta Inta-A Na Man

Served: 2025–present (transitional)

General (also spelled N'Tam) sworn in as transitional president on 27 November 2025; elections have been announced for 6 December 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Guinea-Bissau

Who is the current president of Guinea-Bissau?

The current head of state of Guinea-Bissau is Horta Inta-A Na Man, in office since 2025.

Who were the previous presidents of Guinea-Bissau?

The presidents and heads of state of Guinea-Bissau listed on this page, in order, are: Luís Cabral, João Bernardo Vieira, Carmen Pereira, Ansumane Mané, Malam Bacai Sanhá, Kumba Yala, Veríssimo Correia Seabra, Henrique Rosa, Raimundo Pereira, Mamadu Ture Kuruma, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, José Mário Vaz, Cipriano Cassamá, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Dinis Incanha, Horta Inta-A Na Man.

Who was the first president of Guinea-Bissau?

Luís Cabral was the first president of Guinea-Bissau, in office 1973–1980.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Guinea-Bissau; AP, Africanews and France 24 reports on the November 2025 coup (checked Nov 2026). Includes acting presidents and military leaders, who are labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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