Relations between the Soviet Union and the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), led by Amílcar Cabral, began in the 50th anniversary year of the establishment of the USSR, and intensified in 1961, when training and arming of the party began. In 1965, the first group of 75 PAIGC leaders began training at a Soviet military school in Perevalne, where they were taught skills in the manufacture and use of explosives and guerrilla tactics.[1]
The Soviet Union and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations on 6 October 1973.[2] In 1973, the Soviets began to supply the PAIGC with Strela-2ground-to-air missiles for use in its war with the Portuguese.[3][4] On 21 February 1975, a number of agreements were signed by the two states, covering economic, technical, cultural and scientific co-operation, a trade agreement and an air services agreement.[5] From 1974 to 1983, Soviet Union was the sole supplier of arms to Guinea-Bissau.[6]
After a visit by Amílcar Cabral to Moscow in 1961, the Soviets formally established ties with the armed revolutionary group African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). The Soviets gave weaponry to PAIGC guerrillas, including bazookas, rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 rifles, and eventually (shortly after the assassination of Amílcar Cabral) Strela-2 missiles.[7] The Soviets also provided guerrilla-warfare training for PAIGC fighters at Perevalne, Ukraine, as well as training for nurses.[7] On February 21, 1975, the Soviets and Bussau-Guineans signed a bilateral accord providing for close ties; as part of the agreement, Aeroflot flew Bissau-Guinean students to the Soviet Union for training and education.[7] Between 1973 and 1992, about 3,000 young Bissau-Guineans studied on scholarships in the Soviet Union; an additional 3,000 scholarships came from Cuba, and 61 from East Germany.[7] Many other such cultural, economic, and technical treaties were signed between the two nations.[8] Soviet-Guinea-Bissau ties weakened after the USSR began to collapse in 1991.[7] The "huge stockpile of Soviet-made weapons and ammunition" in the county fell into the hands of rebels led by Ansumane Mané during the Guinea-Bissau Civil War (1998-1999).[7]
In October 2022, the presidents of Russia and Guinea-Bissau, Vladimir Putin and Umaro Sissoco Embalo, met in Moscow, Russia in the first-ever meeting of the leaders of the two countries. Embalo called Guinea-Bissau “an unwavering partner” for Russia.[15]
In May 2024, Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was the highest ranking African politician attending Russian Victory Day parade in Moscow.[16]
Cultural ties
Mr Helbert was held hostage in the embassy in Moscow in January 2005 by students from Guinea-Bissau who were protesting at their stipends not being paid.[17]
^Babbitt, James (1989). SOVIET ARMS TRANSFERS TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. WHAT ARE THEY WORTH IN THE UNITED NATIONS?. pp. 58–59.
^ abcdefPeter Karibe Mendy & Richard A. Lobban Jr., "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)/Russia, Relations With" in Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (4th ed.: Scarecrow Press, 2013), pp. 407-10.