Problems, Problems

São Tomé and Príncipe’s President Carlos Vila Nova dismissed the prime minister and government this week over failures to resolve the country’s problems, a move that underscored an ongoing row between the two leaders, Agence France-Presse reported.

On Monday, Vila Nova announced a decree that criticized the “notable inability” of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada and his cabinet “to provide solutions” to the country in the face of “the scale of existing problems.”

The decree underscored the Trovoada’s lack of clear “strategic cooperation” and obvious “institutional disloyalty,” while also highlighting “frequent” absences by the prime minister that have resulted in huge expenses for the public treasury.

Both the president and the prime minister are members of the ruling Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party, which won the 2022 legislative elections.

Vila Nova said the party will have 72 hours to propose a replacement for Trovoada. If the ADI does not, the island nation’s constitution allows the president to invite the second-largest party to form a government, according to China’s Xinhua.

If that party fails to secure a parliamentary majority, then the president could call for early elections.

Vila Nova’s decree comes amid tensions between him and Trovoada. Relations deteriorated further last year when the government pushed through an airport tax increase via a resolution, bypassing a political veto from the president, who pledged to take steps to overturn the measure.

A former Portuguese colony of 200,000 people in the Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe has faced a series of coups since it gained independence in 1975.

In November 2022, Trovoada announced the army had thwarted a coup.

Despite its history, the island nation is known for its political stability since adopting a multiparty system in 1991.

Even so, Portugal, its former colonial ruler and still a key trading partner, expressed concern after the country signed in May a military accord with Russia.

In an interview with Africa Report, Trovoada defended the agreement and dismissed fears of Russian influence. He explained that the accord is focused on the disposal of Soviet-era explosives and military training.

He emphasized that the African country aims to cooperate with all global actors, including Russia, NATO, and the United States, while maintaining its independence.