SUMMARY
The Military Junta for the Consolidation of Democracy, Peace and Justice was established in early June 1998 with the aim of overthrowing the Government of Guinea-Bissau led by President João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira. Despite multiple negotiations and the signing of a peace agreement in November, clashes continued until President Viera relinquished authority by unconditionally surrendering on 10 May 1999. Subsequently, the Military Junta for the Consolidation of Democracy, Peace and Justice briefly took over as Government of Guinea-Bissau until power was transferred through democratic elections held in November 1999.
In addition to the removal of President Vieira, the military junta sought the establishment of a transitional government as well as free and fair democratic elections. It enjoyed the support of large parts of the army; up to 90% of Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces quickly defected to join the military junta in its struggle. Estimates placed the group’s troop size between 3000 – 6000 in 1998, yet this rose to 10 000 in 1999. As a result, the military junta was able to take control of the national air force base and confiscate most of the army’s weapons and munitions. It was also able to use the established communication network of the national army to run its operations against the Guinea-Bissau government. In addition, the military junta enjoyed support from most of the population, who were disillusioned with the politics of President Vieira.
General Ansumane Mané led the Military Junta for the Consolidation of Democracy, Peace and Justice. He had served as Chief of Staff of the armed forces prior to being dismissed by President Vieira in 1998; Viera accused Mané of being involved in gun-running to the Senegalese separatist rebel group, MFDC. Yet in reality, reports indicated that the rebels had received near official support from the highest levels of Guinea-Bissau for years and many army officers were engaged in the lucrative business of trading cannabis with MFDC for weapons. However, for political reasons, President Viera had completely U-turned this policy to support the Senegalese government against the MFDC in 1995.
In line with regional dynamics, the separatist Senegalese group MFDC sent hundreds of troops to support the Military Junta for the Consolidation of Democracy, Peace and Justice in its armed struggle against the Government of Guinea-Bissau. This was in response to the Bissau-Guinean government’s actions to send support to the MFDC’s own adversary.
