Sandafayre Stamp Auctions | Stamp Atlas

Guinea-Bissau

A revolutionary republic was in being in Portuguese Guinea before independence was recognized on 10 September 1974. The postal situation is now difficult to ascertain.

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 1974.

CURRENCY
1974, 100 centavos = 1 escudo.
1976, 100 cents = 1 peso.

Following a coup led by Major Viera in 1980, a Revolutionary Council was established. Following the creation of a new Constitution adopted in 1984, The Revolutionary Council became a Council of State. A multi-party system was introduced in 1991.

In June 1998, several hundred people were killed when fighting broke out between troops loyal to President Viera and supporters of the army chief who had been dismissed by the President. Both Senegal and Guinea sent troops to support the President and a peace agreement was signed on 1 November 1998. This promised legislative and presidential elections in the following March.

On 27 March 1999, the National Assembly called on Viera to resign, but he refused. The Senegalese and Guinean troops withdrew in accordance with the peace agreement. Fighting resumed in May 1999 and the government was defeated . General Mane appointed the Speaker of the National Assembly Malam Sanha as acting President.

Portuguese Guinea

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 1881.

CURRENCY
1881, as Portugal.

Previously a Portuguese dependency of the Cape Verde Islands, it became a separate colony in 1879 and had fixed its boundaries by 1886.

Cape Verde Islands (Cabo Verde)

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 1 January 1877.

CURRENCY
Portuguese.

Ten islands, lying off the western coast of Africa, annexed by Portugal in 1495. A Portuguese overseas province from 11 June 1951, whose inhabitants had Portuguese citizenship from 6 September 1961. Became independent on 5 July 1975.

A federation of the islands with Guinea Bissau was planned but this was discarded after the Coup in the mainland in 1980 (qv).

The republic was a one-party state under the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) until the constitution was amended in 1990. Since then, the islands have remained peaceful with a one party system of Government.