João Bernardo Vieira

João Bernardo Vieira (born 1939) was a Guinea-Bissau general and political figure. He served as president of Guinea-Bissau from 14 November 1980 to 7 May 1999. He gained power as a result of a military coup, and also lost power in a military coup, that brought to power Kumba Yala, who was overthrown the same way in 2003.

Both Vieira and Yala are candidates for the presidential elections to be held in June 2005. Vieira's return from Portugal – where he fled after being deposed – was hailed by a petition of 30,000 signatures.