São Tomé and Príncipe heads to polls in tense presidential election

Voters in São Tomé and Príncipe are participating in a presidential election on Sunday, with the nation aiming to reinforce its democratic reputation. Approximately 142,000 citizens are registered to vote, with a significant portion residing in the diaspora. Despite a history of peaceful elections since independence from Portugal in 1975, this year's vote is marked by political tension and an ongoing constitutional crisis.

President Carlos Vila Nova is seeking a second term as an independent candidate, a shift from his 2021 election as the nominee for the ruling Acção Democrática Independente (ADI) party. The political friction escalated in January of the previous year when Vila Nova dismissed Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. The subsequent appointments of a new prime minister saw rapid turnover, with Ilza Amado Vaz resigning after three days, followed by the current holder, Américo Ramos.

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The constitutional court is violating the principle of equal rights … It is time for descendants born in São Tomé and Príncipe to say no to discrimination, to the culture of xenophobia and persecution.

Vila Nova faces competition from four other candidates, including Nito D’Abreu, the ADI parliamentary leader. Another contender, former Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus, remains on the ballot despite attempting to withdraw his independent candidacy after missing the deadline. Notably, the main opposition party, the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe, is now backing the incumbent president, creating an unusual political alignment against their traditional ADI rivals. A faction of the ADI, led by Ramos, is supporting D’Abreu.

Domingos Monteiro, known as “Nino,” was disqualified from the race after the constitutional court ruled he did not meet eligibility requirements, despite being born on the island. Monteiro, whose parents were from Cape Verde, criticized the court's decision as discriminatory. Voters are prioritizing issues such as government corruption, high inflation, severe youth unemployment, fuel shortages, and frequent power outages. Corruption, described as the "greatest catastrophe" by candidate D’Abreu, remains a central concern for the electorate. The country is strategically important for Western allies due to its role in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and its offshore oil resources.

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Corruption in São Tomé and Príncipe “is the greatest catastrophe the country has experienced in this half-century [of independence”.