Sao Tome and Principe factsheet History & Political System

History & Political System

Independence

- Gained independence from Portugal on 12 July 1975, following negotiations in Algiers (November 1974) between the Portuguese government and the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP).

- The transition followed the Carnation Revolution in Portugal (April 1974), which ended the colonial era; a transitional government preceded full sovereignty.

- First president: Manuel Pinto da Costa (MLSTP Secretary General); initial one-party Marxist state until multiparty reforms in 1990.

- Motto adopted: "Unity, Discipline, Work."

Government type and current leadership

- Unitary multiparty semi-presidential republic; democratic since 1991 (high ranking: 5th in Africa for democracy).

- Executive: President (head of state, elected for 5-year term) and Prime Minister (head of government).

- Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly (55 seats, 4-year terms).

- Judicial: Supreme Court; mixed system based on Portuguese civil law and customary law.

- Current leadership (as of December 2025): – President: Carlos Vila Nova (since 2021, Independent Democratic Action – ADI). – Prime Minister: Américo Ramos (since January 2025, MLSTP–PSD).

Administrative divisions (including Príncipe autonomy)

- Divided into 6 districts on São Tomé island and 1 autonomous region on Príncipe (total 7 subdivisions since 1980; provinces abolished in 1990).

- São Tomé districts: Água Grande (incl. capital São Tomé), Cantagalo, Caué, Lembá, Lobata, Mé-Zóchi.

- Príncipe: Autonomous Region of Príncipe (replaced Pagué district in 1995; coextensive with the island, ~142 km²).

- Autonomy details: Príncipe has its own Regional Government and Regional Assembly (7 members), with specific political/administrative statutes granting limited self-governance in local affairs (e.g., education, health, culture); established 29 April 1995.

Key historical events

1469–1472: Discovery by Portuguese explorers João de Santarém and Pero Escobar; uninhabited islands claimed for Portugal.

1493–1500: First settlements established (São Tomé by Álvaro Caminha; Príncipe shortly after); initial settlers included deported Jews and criminals.

Mid-1500s: Became Africa's top sugar exporter using enslaved African labor; crown administration from 1522 (São Tomé) and 1573 (Príncipe).

17th century: Shift to slave trade transit point after sugar decline; maroon communities (Angolares) form in interior.

19th century: Rise of cocoa/coffee plantations; abolition of slavery (1876) leads to contract labor from Angola/Mozambique.

1953: Batepá Massacre – violent suppression of Forro uprising against forced labor; ~1,000 killed; anniversary (3 February) is national holiday.

1960: Formation of Committee for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (CLSTP; renamed MLSTP in 1972), exile base in Gabon.

1975: Independence; one-party rule under MLSTP.

1990: New constitution ends one-party system; first multiparty elections (1991).

1995: Bloodless coup against President Miguel Trovoada (reinstated under donor pressure); Príncipe gains autonomy.

2003: Failed coup attempt.

2022: Thwarted coup (November); no standing army, relies on small police/militia forces.