Reliability 5 (very poor)   Updated January 8, 2011   GDP $435-million 2011   Population 1.7-million   Budget ~$18-million 2011     The army has a unique inverted structure, with more officers than under-officers, and more under-officers than other ranks. Personnel ~4000 (reorganized and reduced from 7000). To be reduced further to 2500.   Helicopters   1 Mi-8 1 SA-319 Alouette 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generational conflict between the liberation/civil war veterans and the post independence recruits, militias, ethnicity in the armed forces, and drug transshipments are particular problems. Several high-ranking military officers are believed involved in the drug trade. Latin American cartels use Guinea Bissau as a trans-shipment point for European markets, with military bases allegedly used as storage points.

Several high-ranking military officers are believed involved in the drug trade. Latin American cartels use Guinea Bissau as a trans-shipment point for European markets, with military bases allegedly used as storage points.

 

Accordingly the international community and the West African States (ECOWAS) developed a plan to  reorganize the  armed forces and police as a means to as a means of reducing instability in the country. Overall the reorganization was to cost $185-million between 2008-13, with 10% to be paid for the government. $19-million was allocated for a counter narcotics training program under Spanish lead.

 

In 2010, however, an army coup took place, exactly the sort of activity the reorganization plan was intended to end. In August 2010, the EU mission which was administering the reorganization pulled out, saying it could not work with the security forces under these conditions. It has offered to return if the rule of law is reinstated.

 

The below is our estimate if the army, but please treat with caution.

1 Presidential Guard Unit  (“Aguentas” Militia), 400 men, ordered disbanded by the army in 2009 after the army chief alleged the militia had tried to kill him.  Unclear if this happened out as the unit is not part of the army but recruited by the Interior Ministry for presidential protection.

 

1 armored battalion

3 infantry battalions (600-650 strength each)

1 artillery battalion 

1 Reconnaissance Company

1 Engineer Company

 

Garrisons

 

Santa Luzia, NE Bissau

Manosa Base (60 km north of Bissau, HQ for Senegal Border)

Sao Domingos (Senegal border)

Gabu (East, near Guinea

 

 

 

 

 

 

End Guinea-Bissau