Government and Politics of Sao Tome and Principe

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 on 25 September 2022 (next to be held in 2026) Election results: percent of vote by party — Action of the Independent Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe (ACIS) 43.9%, Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe–Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD) 24.8%, Independent Democratic Action (ADI) 20.8%, other 10.5%; seats by party — ACIS 30, MLSTP-PSD 18, ADI 5, other 2

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

President Carlos Vila NOVA

Head of Government

Prime Minister Américo RAMOS

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister

Elections

last held on 25 September 2022 (next to be held in 2026)

Election Results

Percent of vote by party — Action of the Independent Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe (ACIS) 43.9%, Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe–Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD) 24.8%, Independent Democratic Action (ADI) 20.8%, other 10.5%; seats by party — ACIS 30, MLSTP-PSD 18, ADI 5, other 2. In more recent legislative elections held in November 2023, the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party won a majority of seats in the National Assembly, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape and returning ADI to a dominant position following its period in opposition.

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

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

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

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