Following the overthrow of Brig

Following the overthrow of Brig.-Gen. Jo o Vieira, President since 1980, in a coup in May 1999 a new Constitution was introduced in July 1999. All powers were assumed by the Supreme Command of the Military Junta, led by Ansumane Mane, leader of a military rebellion in June 1998. The military junta maintained the terms of a November 1998 agreement reached between the then President Vieira and the military which provided for the holding of elections before the end of 1999. The new constitution abolished the death penalty, limited the tenure of the presidency to two terms, and restricted principal government posts to Guinea-Bissau nationals by birth.