Incident Summary:

07/16/2005: In one attack out of four, the Presidential Palace was attacked with gunfire and collectively three were killed, including two policemen, and collectively fifteen were wounded, and collectively twenty arrested in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. It is suspected to be connected to the upcoming second round of presidential elections, and suspected groups included "Nino" Vieira who had previously came in second, and the Social Renewal Party, which previously came in third.

GTD ID:
200507160005

When:
2005-07-16

Country:
Guinea-Bissau

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Bissau

City:
Bissau

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Guineau-Bissau government building
Specific Description Presidential Palace
Nationality of Target Guinea-Bissau
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information This was a related attack with 200507160006, 200507160007, and 200507160008. The attacks against the government buildings occurred one week before the second round of voting in Guineau-Bissau's presidential elections. It is suspected that the assailants may be supporters of or have connections to former President Joao Bernardo Vieira, as several of the attackers captured were wearing shirts bearing his likeness.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Unknown No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 5
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 1 Fatalities / 4 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 1
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities Unknown
Total Number of Injured 4
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured Unknown
Sources
“Guinea-Bissau Authorities Suspect ‘Political Motive’ in Deadly Attacks,” Paris AFP (World Service), July 17, 2005.
“EU, Portuguese-speaking Countries Call for Calm in Guinea-Bissau Ahead of Poll,” BBC Monitoring International Reports, July 18, 2005.