Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE. Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

An island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 300 km from the central African coast. The territory covers about 1,000 km² (São Tomé - 836 km², Príncipe - 128 km²). The capital is São Tomé (over 45,000). The administrative division consists of 7 districts. The population is 160,000 (as of 2004). Ethnically, it is a mix of various Bantu-speaking African peoples and partly Portuguese. The official language is Portuguese. The predominant religion is Christianity (mainly Catholicism). The currency is the dobra.

It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on August 9, 1975), maintained through the Russian Embassy in Luanda (Angola).

The national holiday is July 12 - Independence Day (1975).

São Tomé and Príncipe is a republic. A new constitution was adopted in August 1990. The head of state is the president (F. de Menezes since 2001); elected by universal direct suffrage for a term of 5 years. The highest legislative body is the National Assembly (unicameral parliament) - 55 deputies. They are elected by universal direct voting for a term of 4 years. The last elections took place in March 2002. The speaker is Dionísio Dias. The highest executive authority is the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister Maria do Carmo Silveira).

The archipelago was declared a possession of Portugal in 1471. The African population of the islands repeatedly rose in rebellion against slavery (officially abolished in 1875) and the system of forced labor that replaced it. From 1951 to 1972, it was an overseas province of Portugal. The national liberation movement on the islands took shape in the 1960s. In 1960, the Committee for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe was established; in 1972 it was transformed into the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP), which put forward a program for achieving national independence and eliminating colonial legacy. In 1972, the islands were granted "local autonomy"; they were governed by a governor-general, under whom a legislative assembly was created with advisory functions. After the overthrow of the reactionary regime in Portugal in April 1974, the national liberation struggle on the islands entered its final phase. The Portuguese government recognized the right of the people of São Tomé and Príncipe to self-determination and entered into negotiations with representatives of the MLSTP regarding the granting of independence to the islands. In November 1974, a corresponding agreement was signed between them. In December of the same year, a transitional government was formed from representatives of São Tomé and Príncipe and Portugal.

On July 12, 1975, the independence of the islands was proclaimed.

For 16 years from 1975, the only party in the country, the MLSTP, was in power, which was transformed in October 1990 into the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe - Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD).

It holds a majority of seats in parliament. In September 1990, the Law on Political Parties was adopted, which became the legal basis for the formation of a multiparty system. Currently, besides the MLSTP-PSD, the main parties in the country are: the Party of Democratic Convergence, Independent Democratic Action, as well as electoral blocs formed on their basis, namely the Democratic Movement and "Ue kedadji" ("Daylight").

After gaining independence, there was a single trade union organization - the National Organization of Workers of São Tomé and Príncipe. After 1990, several independent sectoral trade unions were formed (of bank employees, industrial workers, agriculture, etc.).

Since 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe has been a member of the UN and the AU. The country is also part of several regional organizations, including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Community of Gulf of Guinea States, and others.

São Tomé and Príncipe is an underdeveloped country that is experiencing a prolonged economic and financial crisis. In recent years, there has been a steady decline in GDP per capita, which currently stands at about $200 (in 2000 - $250, in 1995 - $320, in 1990 - $450). The economic growth rate is 1.5% with a population growth of 3%. The external debt reaches $350 million (2004).

The inflation rate is 85% (2004).

The leading sector of the economy is agriculture. It provides the main foreign currency earnings. The main export crops are cocoa (4,000 tons per year; 90% of export value), copra (4%), coffee, bananas, quinine products, and palm oil. Imports include industrial goods, food, petroleum products, and cement.

The main foreign trade partners are Portugal, France, Taiwan, Nigeria, and Angola.

The country's industry (mainly manufacturing) remains in its infancy. Its share in GDP is about 17%. In recent years, significant oil fields have been discovered on the continental shelf of the islands, and preparations are underway for oil extraction in cooperation with Nigeria.

The standard of living is low. The unemployment rate exceeds 70%. A national disaster is the high incidence of malaria (87% of the population), and the number of HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients is rising.

The country's economy is 90% dependent on external aid ($40-45 million per year).

There are about 380 km of paved roads (of which 220 km are surfaced). There is an airport in São Tomé.

Newspapers are published ("Parvu" and others). The information agency is STP-Press. There are radio stations and television.