The Government of São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe - Government

Based on the etymolgy of São Tomé and Príncipe, it was Sao Tome was named after Saint THOMAS the Apostle by the Portuguese who discovered the island on 21 December 1470 (or 1471), the saint's feast day; Principe is a shortening of the original Portuguese name of "Ilha do Principe" (Isle of the Prince), referring to Prince ALPHONSO of Portugal. The Government system in this country is the semi-presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 6 districts (distritos, singular - distrito), 1 autonomous region* (regiao autonoma); Agua Grande, Cantagalo, Caue, Lemba, Lobata, Me-Zochi, Principe*

National symbols

Palm tree.

The flag

The National flag of São Tomé and Príncipe has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of São Tomé and Príncipe

Constitution
Date of Independence	12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday	Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Legal system	mixed system of civil law based on the Portuguese model and customary law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
History	Approved 5 November 1975
Amendment process	Proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the Assembly can propose to the president of the republic that an amendment be submitted to a referendum
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 Manuel VILA NOVA (since 2 October 2021)
Head of government	Prime Minister Américo d'Oliveira DOS RAMOS (since 12 January 2025)
Cabinet	Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Election/appointment process	president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president
Most recent election date	18 July 2021, with a runoff on 5 September 2021
Election results	2021: Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (IDA) 39.5%; Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA (MLSTP-PSD) 20.8%; Delfim NEVES (PCD-GR) 16.9%; Abel BOM JESUS (independent) 3.6%; Maria DAS NEVES (independent) 3.3%; other 15.9%; percent of the vote in second round - Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA 57.5%, Guilherme POSSER DA COSTA 42.5% 2016: Evaristo CARVALHO elected president; percent of vote - Evaristo CARVALHO (ADI) 49.8%, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (independent) 24.8%, Maria DAS NEVES (MLSTP-PSD) 24.1%
Expected date of next election	2026
Legislative branch
Legislature name	National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	55 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Proportional representation
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	9/25/2022
Parties elected and seats per party	Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI) (30); Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP - PSD) (18); Movement of Independent Citizens - Socialist Party (MCI - PS) - National Unity Party (PUN) (5); Other (2)
Percentage of women in chamber	14.5%
Expected date of next election	September 2026
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal Justica (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 5 judges, 3 of whom are from the Supreme Court)
Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for 5-year terms
Subordinate courts	Court of First Instance; Audit Court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador (vacant)
Chancery	122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604 New York, NY 101168
Telephone	[1] (212) 317-0533
FAX	[1] (212) 317-0580
Email address and website	[email protected] Sao Tome and Principe Permanent Mission to the United Nations
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy	The US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the US Ambassador to Angola is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe
Mailing address	2290 Sao Tome Place, Washington DC 20521-2290