Country profile: Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe, once a leading cocoa producer, is poised to profit from the commercial exploitation of large offshore reserves of oil.

But arguments have arisen over how to spend the expected windfall, leading to political tension.

Overview

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One of Africa's smallest countries, Sao Tome and Principe consists of two islands of volcanic origin and a number of smaller islets.

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: President de Menezes was re-elected in July 2006. Power is constitutionally split between president and prime minister, which has led to several cohabitation governments Economy: Sao Tome hopes to reduce dependence on donors and cocoa exports by exploiting offshore oil. The award of exploration contracts has been controversial International: Sao Tome and Nigeria share offshore oil fields which have yet to be exploited. Nigeria intervened to prevent a coup in 2003 Timeline

From the late 1400s Portugal began settling convicts on Sao Tome and establishing sugar plantations with the help of slaves from the mainland. The island was also important in the transshipment of slaves.

The colony's aspirations for independence were recognised after the 1974 coup in Portugal and at first the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe was the country's sole political party. However, the 1990 constitution created a multi-party democracy. The island of Principe assumed autonomy in 1995.

Sao Tome and Principe is trying to shake off its dependence on the cocoa crop. Falls in production and prices left the island state heavily reliant on foreign aid. The government has been encouraging economic diversification and is set to exploit the billions of barrels of oil which are thought to lie off the country's coast.

Drilling is under way and commercial production is expected to begin within a few years.

Promoters of tourism say the islands have plenty for visitors to see. But hurdles include ignorance about the country, the difficulties of getting there, and what some say is an exaggerated fear of malaria.

Facts

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• Full name: The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
• Population: 163,000 (UN, 2009)
• Capital: Sao Tome
• Area: 1,001 sq km (386 sq miles)
• Major language: Portuguese
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 67 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 dobra = 100 centimos
• Main exports: Cocoa
• GNI per capita: US $1,020 (World Bank, 2008)
• Internet domain: .st
• International dialling code: +239

Leaders

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President: Fradique de Menezes

Fradique de Menezes, a wealthy cocoa exporter, was elected in July 2001 and re-elected in 2006.

President Fradique de Menezes was briefly ousted by the military

A week-long military coup in July 2003 toppled his government, while the president was on a private visit to Nigeria. Mr De Menezes returned to Sao Tome after an agreement to restore democratic rule was reached with the coup leaders.

He is the son of a Portuguese father and Sao Tomean mother and had dual citizenship before dropping his Portuguese citizenship so that he could qualify as a presidential candidate.

The president wants revenues from new offshore oil fields to be used to improve public services. He is keen to reduce Sao Tome's isolation and favours stronger ties with West Africa.

Mr De Menezes is the country's third president, after Miguel Trovoada, who served two five-year terms, the maximum permitted by the constitution (1990-2001) and Pinto da Costa (1975-1991).

He studied in Portugal and Belgium and occupied several political and diplomatic positions, including foreign minister and ambassador in Europe.

The president's governing MDFM-PCD coalition failed to secure an absolute parliamentary majority in the 2006 elections.

Prime Minister Rafael Branco

In February 2008 it entered a power-sharing deal with the opposition Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party, whose leader, Patrice Trovoada, became prime minister.

The coalition government lasted only three months before it fell after losing a parliamentary vote of confidence tabled by the opposition.

It was replaced by coalition headed by Rafael Branco, leader of the second-largest party in parliament, the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé (MLST).

Media

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Freedom of expression, guaranteed by the constitution, is also respected in practice. There are three privately-owned newspapers and one which is state-run.

While the state controls a press agency and the only radio and television stations, no law forbids private broadcasting.

Opposition parties receive free airtime and newsletters, and pamphlets criticising the government circulate freely.

The press

• Tela Non Diario de Sao Tome e Principe - daily, in Portuguese

Television

• Televisao Saotomense (TVS) - state-run national broadcaster

Radio

• Radio Nacional de Sao Tome e Principe - state-run national broadcaster