By RFPosted on 12-11-2019Modified on 12-11-2019 at 01:31

With less than two weeks of presidential elections, Guinea-Bissau faces a new period of uncertainty. The political instability that the country has been facing for several years weighs on the economy and especially on tourism.

With less than two weeks of presidential elections scheduled for November 24, in Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS announced the reinforcement of its force on the spot , Ecomib. The West African organization is putting pressure on President José Mário Vaz, who provoked a showdown at the top of the executive by sacking Prime Minister Aristides Gomes two weeks ago.

This country of less than two million inhabitants is shaken by chronic political crises since its independence, an instability which weighs on the economy, notably on tourism. Most recently, several Western countries, including France and Canada, have updated their travel advisories and urged their nationals to be vigilant. The country does have assets to develop this sector.

Camera around his neck, Christopher Barnett just came out of the cathedral of Bissau. " I try to visit every country in the world ... and Guinea-Bissau is one of the 193 UN member countries ," he says.

This American tourist arrived a few hours ago from Senegal. The next day, he will go to the Bijagos Islands, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.

Christopher Barnett joins his group led by Claude, Canadian Travel Director. For him, Guinea-Bissau needs to be known. " It's a country that is untouched. There are very few visitors. Its asset is especially the natural wealth of the country. There are several reserves, including Orango National Park, in the Bijagos Islands. There are still chimpanzees. And then there is also the cultural wealth, the ethnic plurality, the different ancestral traditions , "he says.

Despite these assets, the sector is plagued by recurring crises that also cool investors, said this travel agent in Bissau who prefers to remain anonymous. His niche is business tourism. His clients are mainly Indian and Chinese. " They come mainly for business, especially for cashew nuts, a big market here. But political instability and business do not go well together. They think twice before coming, "he explains.

According to World Bank figures, in 2015, 43,000 tourists traveled to Guinea-Bissau.

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