Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Sao Tome and Principe

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Sao Tome and Principe.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: republic
Administrative Divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome
Legal System: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Carlos Vila NOVA (since 2 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Américo RAMOS (since 11 November 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2021, with a runoff on 8 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Carlos Vila NOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in runoff - Carlos Vila NOVA (MDFM) 57.5%, Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA (MLSTP-PSD) 42.5%
Legislative Branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, other 4.8%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23, Ue-Kedadji coalition 8
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political Parties: Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties
Head of State: Fradique DE MENEZES
Head of Government: Joachim Rafael BRANCO
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president
Election Results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
International Organization Participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 consulate(s): Atlanta
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Sao Tome
Location: 0 20 N, 6 44 E
Time Difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: named after Saint Thomas the Apostle

Embassy and Diplomatic Representation

Embassy location and contact details.

Although there is not a U.S. embassy in São Tomé and Príncipe, the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon, is accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe and can provide assistance to U.S. citizens there. U.S. Embassy Libreville BP 4000 Sabliere Neighborhood Libreville, Gabon Telephone: 241-01-45-71-00 Emergency after-hours telephone: 241-07-38-01-71 Facsimile: 241-01-45-71-05 Email: LibrevilleACS@state.gov

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP); also called "Navy"), Presidential Guard
Service Age and Obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Flag History: The two stars represent the two main islands of the nation: Sao Tome and Principe. The red stands for the blood shed in the struggle for independence, the green is the color of the rich vegetation and the yellow represents cocoa, which is the main agricultural products.
Date of Adoption: 5 November 1975

National Anthem

Anthem Lyrics: Independência total CHORUS: Independência total, Glorioso canto do porvo, Independência total, Hino sagrado de combate. Dinamismo Na luta nacional, Juramento eterno No pais soberano de São Tomé e Príncipe. Guerrilheiro da guerra sem armas na mão, Chama viva na alma do porvo, Congregando os filhos das ilhas Em redor da Pátria Imortal. Independência total, total e completa, Costruindo, no progresso e na paz, A nação ditosa da Terra, Com os braços heróicos do povo. CHORUS Trabalhando, lutando, presente em vencendo, Caminhamos a passos gigantes Na cruzada dos povos africanos, Hasteando a bandeira nacional. Voz do porvo, presente, presente em conjunto, Vibra rijo no coro da esperança Ser herói no hora do perigo, Ser herói no ressurgir do País. CHORUS Dinamismo Na luta nacional, Juramento eterno No pais soberano de São Tomé e Príncipe.
Anthem Lyrics (English): CHORUS: Total independence, Glorious song of the people, Total independence, Sacred hymn of combat. Dynamism In the national struggle, Eternal oath To the sovereign country of São Tomé and Príncipe. Warriors in the war without weapons, Live flame in the soul of the people, Congregating the sons of the islands Around the Immortal Fatherland. Total independence, total and complete, Building, in progress and peace, With the heroic hands of the people, The happiest nation on earth. CHORUS Working, struggling, struggling and conquering, We go ahead with giant steps In the crusade of the African peoples, Raising the national flag. Voice of the people, present, present and united, Strong beat in the heart of hope To be a hero in the hour of peril, A hero of the Nation's resurgence. CHORUS Dynamism In the national struggle, Eternal oath To the sovereign country of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Anthem History: Independência total is the national anthem of São Tomé and Príncipe. The anthem, adopted in 1975, was written by Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo and composed by Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e Almeida.

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