Continued Instability - 2003-2014
President Fradique de Menzes was deposed in a military coup led by Major Fernando Pereira on July 16, 2003. Major Fernando Pereira, head of the Junta of National Salvation, declared a state of emergency on July 16, 2003. The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), U.S. government, President Olesegum Obasanjo of Nigeria, Portuguese government, French government, European Union (EU), UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, South African government, and Ghanian government condemned the military coup on July 17, 2003. The CPLP sent a five-member delegation headed by Osvaldo Serra Van Dunem of Angola to mediate negotiations between the rebels led by Major Pereira and the government of President Fradique de Menzes beginning on July 18, 2003, and the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) sent a delegation headed by Jean Ping of Gabon to mediate negotiations between the parties beginning on July 19, 2003. The governments of Nigeria, South Africa, and the U.S. attempted to mediate negotiations between the parties beginning on July 19, 2003. Major Pereira and President Fradique de Menzes signed a memorandum of understanding – which included a general amnesty for the military personnel involved in the military coup – mediated by the CPLP, CEEAC, Nigerian government, U.S. government, and South African government on July 23, 2003.
On July 24, 2003, the National Assembly approved a general amnesty for the military personnel involved in the recent military coup. Prime Minister Maria das Neves submitted her letter of resignation on August 1, 2003, but President Fradique de Menzes re-appointed her as prime minister on August 4, 2003. Prime Minister Maria das Neves formed a new 13-member government on August 9, 2003. Legislative elections were held on March 26, 2006, and the coalition consisting of the Democratic Movement of Forces for Change-Liberal Party (Movimento Democrático das Forças da Mudança-Partido Liberal – MDFM-PL) and the Democratic Convergence Party (Partido de Convergencia Democratica-PCD) won 23 out of 55 seats in the National Assembly. The Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe – Social Democratic Party (Movimento Libertacao de São Tomé e Príncipe – Partido Social Democrata – MLSTP-PSD) won 20 seats in the National Assembly. Tomé Soares da Vera Cruz of the MDFM-PL formed a government as prime minister on April 21, 2006. President Fradique de Menzes was re-elected with 61 percent of the vote on July 30, 2006. Prime Minister Tomé Vera Cruz announced his resignation on February 7, 2008, and Patrice Trovoada formed a government as prime minister on February 14, 2008.
On May 20, 2008, the National Assembly approved a motion of no-confidence against the government of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. Joaquim Rafael Branco of the MLSTP-PSD formed a new government as prime minister on June 22, 2008. Legislative elections were held on August 1, 2010, and the Independent Democratic Action (Acção Democrática Independente – ADI) won 26 out of 55 seats in the National Assembly. The Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (Movimento de Libertação de São Tomé e Príncipe/Partido Social Democrata – MLSTP/PSD) won 21 seats in the National Assembly. The African Union (AU) sent 12 observers led by Leonardo Simao of Mozambique to monitor the legislative elections. Patrice Trovoada of the ADI formed a government as prime minister on August 14, 2010. Manuel Pinto da Costa was elected president in the second round of presidential elections on August 7, 20n, and he was sworn in as president on September 3, 20n.
The National Assembly approved a censure motion against the government of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada on November 29, 2012. The government of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada was dismissed by President Manuel Pinto da Costa on December 4, 2012, and Gabriel Costa formed a new government as prime minister on December 12, 2012. Brig. Felisberto Maria Segundo resigned as head of the military on February 13, 2014, and he was replaced by Colonel Justino Lima on February 19, 2014. Legislative elections were held on October 12-15, 2014, and the ADI won 33 out of 55 seats in the National Assembly. The MLSTP/PSD won 16 seats in the National Assembly. The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) sent 21 observers led by Ambassador Luis Fonseca of Cape Verde to monitor the legislative elections. The African Union (AU) sent 24 observers led by França Van-Dúnem of Angola to monitor the legislative elections from October 5 to October 19, 2014.
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