National Integration in Guinea-Bissau since Independence
This article explores national integration in Guinea-Bissau since independence in 1974. I argue that the level of national integration is quite strong – despite the ethnic diversity prevalent in the country. As I will show, national integration is due to the ideology and policy of the former indepen...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
2010-12-01
|
| Series: | Cadernos de Estudos Africanos |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/cea/155 |
| Summary: | This article explores national integration in Guinea-Bissau since independence in 1974. I argue that the level of national integration is quite strong – despite the ethnic diversity prevalent in the country. As I will show, national integration is due to the ideology and policy of the former independence movement and the early postcolonial state that advocated a national-unity-in-ethnic-diversity-model. Bissau-Guineans know to separate between the state and the nation, a distinction sometimes neglected in analyses. As my findings suggest, Bissau-Guineans victimize their nation while confronting it with the state. A foreign invasion during the 1998-99 Military Conflict fostered national integration even more. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1645-3794 2182-7400 |