 |
Raimundo PereiraActing President of Guinea-Bissau
Date of Birth: 01.01.1956
|
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Speaker of the National Assembly
- Tragic Events Leading to Presidency
- Vieira was hunted down and shot dead on the same day.
- Request for Assistance and National Mourning
Early Life and Education
Raimundo Pereira was born in 1956 and received a law degree.Political Career
In 2008, Pereira was elected to the National Assembly of Guinea-Bissau as a member of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC).
Speaker of the National Assembly
On December 22, 2008, Pereira was elected as Speaker of the National Assembly, defeating Helder Proenca.
Tragic Events Leading to Presidency
On March 1, 2009, General Tagme Na Waie, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau, was killed in a bomb blast. Angered officers and soldiers blamed President Joao Bernardo Vieira, who had a strained relationship with Na Waie.
Vieira was hunted down and shot dead on the same day.
Interim PresidentAccording to Guinea-Bissau's constitution, the Speaker of the National Assembly becomes interim president in the event of the president's death or resignation.
On March 3, 2009, in the presence of Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior and international delegates from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), Pereira was sworn in as interim president.
Request for Assistance and National Mourning
Pereira subsequently met with influential African politicians to request their assistance in holding democratic presidential elections within 60 days.
After the funeral of Vieira and Na Waie on March 10, 2009, Pereira issued a decree declaring a week-long national mourning period.
 Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo |  Raimundo Pereira |