BISSAU , 31 July 2008 (IRIN) - Uprisings and coup attempts have pervaded the politics of the tiny West African coastal state Guinea-Bissau since its independence from Portugal in the 1980s.

The formation in March 2007 of a three party coalition, dubbed the 'Stability Pact' briefly reassured the country's much-needed donors that the country could be entering a new era of relative political calm.

The pact guaranteed an engagement of the three political parties for ten years, although the military still retained a strong hold over the country's political and economic agenda.

However the withdrawal on 25 July of the major coalition partner, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) from the coalition has thrown the country's political future into question.

As the country prepares for legislative elections in November 2008, experts are asking whether stability will hold.

Below is a time-line of the major political developments in Guinea-Bissau since the formation of the PAIGC in 1956.

July 2008 The PAIGC leaves the political 'Pact of Stability' coalition government.

April 2008 The mandate of the legislature ended on 21 April but President Vieira passes a temporary constitutional amendment to allow the continuation of Parliament until further elections take place later in the year. The President also grants amnesty to individuals in the military and civilians who committed crimes from 1980 to 2004.

March 2008 Legislative elections are postponed.

July 2007 A tribunal declares the resolution making former Guinea-Bissau president, Koumba Yala, the head of Social Renovation Party (PRS) "null and void."

February 2008 The PAIGC withdraws backing from Prime Minister Martinho Ndafa Cabi, ostensibly to avoid acts of indiscipline threatening cohesion and unity in the party.

March 2007 Parliamentarians form a majority coalition and the three major parties, the PAIGC, Party for Social Reform (PRS) and the United Social Democrat Party (PUSD) sign a pact of stability meant to create political stability. The pact gives them the right to force the departure of Prime Minister Aristides Gomes who was nominated by Vieira after the sacking of Carlos Junior, and to vote in a new prime minister, Marthinho Ndafa Cabi. Donors welcome the pact and start to re-engage in the country after a period of relative isolation.

January 2007 Admiral Mohamed Lamine Sanha, chief-of -staff of the navy, is killed. Sanha, an ally of Ansumane Mané who led a military rebellion against President Vieira in the 1998 civil war, was implicated in several coups against the government.

November 2006 Koumba Yala is elected head of the PRS.

November 2005 President Vieira appoints Aristides Gomes, former PAIGC deputy chairman as Prime Minister.

October 2005 President Vieira sacks PAIGC Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior who was nominated by the assembly, citing "personal reasons". After announcing on the radio that the President ordered the assassination of old members of the military junta that deposed him in 1999 Junior flees to the offices of the UN Peacebuilding Office until President Vieira can guarantee him his security.

2005 Joao Bernardo Vieira returns from exile in Portugal to participate in Presidential elections, with financial backing from Guinea-Conakry and Senegal and support from the military. In the June elections Malam Bacai Sanha of the PAIGC presents himself opposite Koumba Yala and for the first time against Joao Vieira who participates as an independent candidate. Bacai receives the largest number of votes but not enough to avoid a second round. Yala, who came third in the first round, goes on to support Vieira and Vieira becomes President for the second time. International observers deem the elections fair and transparent.

The military, under chief-of-staff Tagme Na Wai ensures President Vieira understands they are a powerful political force and that Vieira requires their support to retain his hold.

October 2004 A group of soldiers led by Baoute Yanta Na Man attempt a failed coup. General Seabra, now chief of staff of the army, is killed by a group of military rebels who are protesting against salary arrears and the corruption of the military hierarchy, and General Tagme Na Wai, an ethnic Balante, is appointed in his place.

March 2004 Legislative elections are held as planned and the PAIGC retakes the majority of the parliamentary seats. A new government is formed under the leadership of Carlos Gomes Junior as prime minister.

September 2003 A military coup led by General Verissimo Correia Seabra ousts President Yala, a move that is welcomed by the population. A transition government is put on place to prepare for elections and in the interim, President Henrique Rosa is appointed President and Artur Sanha, once secretary-general of the PRS is nominated Prime Minister.

2002 President Koumba Yala dissolves Parliament and calls for legislative elections but these do not take place and the country remains without a government for several months. Supreme Court judges are also sacked from their positions.

2001 President Yala's rule is characterised by chronic political instability as he constantly sacks ministers and reshuffles his government. Between 2001 and 2003 four Prime Ministers are nominated and sacked. Political crisis sets in. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank suspend aid due to poor financial accounting by government.

2000 General Anusmane Mane, a well-supported figure in the army, does not take up posts offered to him under President Yala's government, including adviser to the head-of-state preferring to stay independent. In November he is killed by Koumba Yala's men.

January 2000 Presidential elections are held between Koumba Yala of the PRS and Malam Bacai Sanha of the PAIGC, a fierce opponent of Vieira. Yala wins with 72 percent of the votes and his victory is seen as progress for the Balante ethnic group as he is the first Balante to lead the country. Yala goes on to appoint many Balante in positions of power. Under his rule many members of the armed forces are promoted to become generals.

November 1999 The transitional government organises elections in which the PAIGC loses its control over the national assembly for the first time. The PRS party under Koumba Yala receives 38 seats and becomes the dominant party in the assembly.

1999 A military junta takes control of Bissau, the capital, and President Vieira seeks asylum in Portugal. Malai Bacam Sanha of the PAIGC party becomes President in May 1999.

1998 Joao Vieira sacks army chief of staff, General Ansumane Mané, leading to an army mutiny. A military junta led by Mané starts a civil war.

1994 The first free elections are held electing Joao Vieira as President. From this point on the PAIGC dominates politics until the present day.

1992 Koumba Yala founds the PRS.

1980 Luis Cabral is ousted in military coup orchestrated by Joao Bernardo Vieira.

1974 Portugal grants Guinea-Bissau independence with Luis Cabral, brother of Amilcar, as President.

1973 PAIGC declares Guinea-Bissau independent of Portugal. Amilcar Cabral assassinated.

1963-74 PAIGC launches war of independence.

1956 Amilcar Cabral establishes the PAIGC.

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