Security challenges in Guinea-Bissau: The General Staff announces the resumption of the military training cycle after years of lethargy

The armed forces of Guinea-Bissau officially began their 2026 combat preparations on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. An eight-month training cycle marked by a renewed commitment to defend national sovereignty, according to information from the newspaper "O Democrata".

The training is to take place in two phases. The first is scheduled from March 2nd to June 30th (419 hours). The second is planned from September 1st to December 18th (380 hours). This makes a total of 710 hours of military instruction over the year.

In his speech, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Tomas Djassi, stressed that this new cycle represents not only a new phase of training, but also a strengthening of the permanent commitment to national defense.

General Djassi stated that combat readiness is one of the structural pillars of the armed forces. He continued, explaining that it is a rigorous and continuous process of instruction, training, and evaluation that strengthens the operational capacity of the troops.

"We are consolidating the values that underpin our military identity: discipline, cohesion, professionalism and a sense of mission," he stressed.

The Chief of the Defence Staff added that this operation is part of the General Plan for the Preparation and Strengthening of the Armed Forces. During these exercises, the various branches of the armed forces (army, navy, and air force) will conduct specialized training and operational exercises aimed at improving the readiness, effectiveness, and responsiveness of units in a regional context marked by increasing security challenges.

General Djassi reaffirmed that combat readiness demands constant commitment, technical rigor, a spirit of sacrifice, and exemplary discipline. He stated that each exercise represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen institutions and ensure effective responses to any threat to national security.

Addressing the commanders, he called for firm leadership, a sense of responsibility, and professional rigor in overseeing the training cycle. He urged all troops to demonstrate discipline, determination, and esprit de corps, honoring the values of "honor, loyalty, courage, and patriotism."

The Major General also expressed hope that the 2026 military year will be marked by high performance, successful training and the continued strengthening of the operational capabilities of the armed forces.

For his part, the head of the General Staff's Training Operations Division, Brigadier General Abulai Ba, emphasized that combat preparation is a delicate mission. It involves preparing soldiers to successfully carry out all missions, ensure the safety of the population, and contribute to maintaining peace.

He recalled that Guinea-Bissau had initiated this type of training in 1975 and that it aimed to strengthen the operational capacity of units and sub-units. He acknowledged that, in recent years, the operation had not been able to be carried out due to a lack of resources, but indicated that the current objective was to reorganize and fully resume the process in coordination with national authorities, he explained in the pages of "O Democrata".