Joo Bernardo "Nino" Vieira (Portuguese pronunciation: [uw bnau inu viej, ww -]; 27 April 1939 2 March 2009) was a Bissau-Guinean politician who was the President of Guinea-Bissau from 1980 to 1999, except for a three-day period in May 1984, and from 2005 to 2009.
After seizing power from President Lus Cabral in a military coup in 1980, Vieira ruled as part of the Military Council of the Revolution until 1984, when civilian rule was returned. Opposition parties were allowed in 1991, and Vieira won a multiparty presidential election in 1994. He was ousted at the end of the 19981999 civil war and went into exile. He made a political comeback in 2005, winning that year's presidential election.
Vieira was killed by soldiers on 2 March 2009, apparently in retaliation for a bomb blast that killed Guinea-Bissau's military chief General Batista Tagme Na Waie hours before. The military officially denied these allegations after unidentified Army officials claimed responsibility of Vieira for Na-Waie's death.Vieira described himself as "God's gift" to Guinea-Bissau during his tenure in office.
1999May, 7
In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup.
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Events on 1999
- 21Jan
United States Coast Guard
War on Drugs: In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over 4,300 kilograms (9,500 lb) of cocaine on board. - 12Mar
Czech Republic
Former Warsaw Pact members the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland join NATO. - 8Apr
Indian National Congress
Haryana Gana Parishad, a political party in the Indian state of Haryana, merges with the Indian National Congress. - 29May
International Space Station
Space Shuttle Discovery completes the first docking with the International Space Station. - 27Nov
Helen Clark
The centre-left Labour Party takes control of the New Zealand government with leader Helen Clark becoming the first elected female Prime Minister in New Zealand's history.