Guinea Bissau has Africa's second lowest rating on the U.N.'s Human Development Index measuring life expectancy,education, and standards of living.

VOA: standard.2009.04.24

Among them are Somalia, where the transitional government is under siege by hardline Islamic rebels, Guinea and Guinea Bissau, Madagascar and Darfur.

VOA: standard.2009.07.02

The residents left their homes near the country's border with Guinea-Bissau after recent increases in attacks by Senegalese rebels in the area.

VOA: standard.2009.10.05

Prosecutors said Na Tchuto discussed shipping ton-quantities of cocaine from South America to Guinea Bissau by sea, saying it was a good time to transport drugs because Guinea Bissau government was weak because of a recent coup d'etat.

WSJ: Suspects in Africa drug trade held in NY for trial

This "deal" was drawn up by the Guinea-Bissau government to allow Angolan troops in the country and mandates "Angola to attack Guinea-Bissau's military, " a communique from the group said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Similarly, the economies of Liberia and Guinea Bissau, added together, are smaller than the economy of Blackpool.

FORBES: African Free Trade Zone