Freedom in the World 2004 - Sao Tome and Principe

Political Rights: 2
Civil Liberties: 2
Status: Free
Population: 200,000
GNI/Capita: $290
Life Expectancy: 65
Religious Groups: Christian [Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist] (80 percent), other (20 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Mestico, [Portuguese-African], African minority [primarily desendant of slaves and indentured servants from Angola and Mozambique], European [primarily Portuguese]
Capital: São Tomé

Ratings Change
Sao Tome and Principe's political rights rating declined from 1 to 2 due to a brief military coup in July.

Overview

Sao Tome and Principe sat on the verge of a dramatic economic transformation even as political instability dogged the country in 2003. A brief military coup in July ousted the country's president, who returned to power one week later. The country, which remains one of the poorest in Africa, was poised to obtain large revenues for leasing to foreign companies the rights to explore its offshore oil reserves.

Sao Tome and Principe consists of two islands approximately 125 and 275 miles off the coast of Gabon in the Gulf of Guinea. Seized by Portugal in 1522 and 1523, they became a Portuguese Overseas Province in 1951. Portugal granted local autonomy in 1973 and independence in 1975. Upon independence, the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP), which was formed in 1960, took power and functioned as the only legal party until a 1990 referendum established multiparty democracy. In 1991, Miguel dos Anjos Trovoada, an independent candidate backed by the opposition Democratic Convergence Party, became the first democratically elected president.

In presidential elections in 2001, Fradique de Menezes, of the Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI), replaced Trovoada, who had ruled the country for 10 years. In the first round of voting, de Menezes won with 56 percent, compared with 38 percent for Manuel Pinto da Costa of the MLSTP. The MLSTP captured 24 seats in parliamentary elections in March 2002. The Democratic Movement of Forces for Change won 23 seats, and the remaining 8 seats went to the Ue Kadadji coalition. De Menezes called on parliament to introduce laws against vote buying, which he said had been rampant in the March parliamentary poll. Nevertheless, international observers declared the polls to be free and fair.

In January 2003, de Menezes attempted to dissolve parliament and call early elections. However, he backed down when legislators threatened to ignore the decree. The parliament had previously approved a constitutional reform package reducing presidential powers, which de Menezes vetoed.

President de Menezes was briefly ousted by a military coup in July, although he returned to power after one week with the backing of Portugal and numerous African countries. The coup was staged by officers disgruntled over persistent poverty in the country and allegations of state corruption. Tensions escalated in part because Sao Tome is poised to receive an economic windfall of some $200 million next year by leasing the exploration rights to its offshore oil reserves to U.S. and Nigerian companies. After two years of wrangling, the government agreed to divide some of the proceeds with Nigeria, with which it shares territorial waters in the Gulf of Guinea. Following the July coup, de Menezes shuffled his cabinet and overrode a resignation bid by his prime minister, Maria das Neves.

Sao Tome and Principe has been in the process of strengthening its relationship with the United States, which plans to build a sheltering port on the archipelago for the U.S. Navy to patrol waters surrounding the country and protect its oil resources there.

Sao Tome and Principe has mostly relied on external assistance to develop its economy. Unemployment is about 45 percent, and it is one of the poorest countries in Africa. The upcoming oil bonanza has drawn comparisons with Equatorial Guinea, where an influx of petroleum dollars failed to bring benefits to the vast majority of the population. However, Sao Tome has a stronger democratic tradition, and its government has pledged transparency in managing the country's oil revenues.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

The people of Sao Tome and Principe have the right to change their government democratically. Presidential and legislative elections in 1991 gave the country's citizens their first chance to elect their leader in an open, free, and fair contest.

Constitutionally protected freedom of expression is respected in practice. One state-run and six independent newspapers and newsletters are published. While the state controls a local press agency and the only radio and television stations, no law forbids independent broadcasting. Opposition parties receive free airtime, and newsletters and pamphlets criticizing the government circulate freely.

Freedom of religion is respected within this predominantly Roman Catholic country. The government does not restrict academic freedom.

Freedom of assembly is respected. Citizens have the constitutional right to gather and demonstrate with an advance notice of two days to the government. The rights to organize, strike, and bargain collectively are guaranteed and respected. Few unions exist, but independent cooperatives have taken advantage of the government land-distribution program to attract workers. Because of its role as the main employer in the wage sector, the government remains the key interlocutor for labor on all matters, including wages. Working conditions on many of the state-owned cocoa plantations are harsh.

An independent judiciary, including a Supreme Court with members designated by, and responsible to, the National Assembly, was established by the 1990 referendum on multiparty rule. The Supreme Court has ruled against both the government and the president, but is occasionally subject to manipulation. The court system is overburdened, understaffed, inadequately funded, and plagued by long delays in hearing cases. Prison conditions are harsh.

The constitution provides for equal rights for men and women, but women encounter significant societal discrimination. Most have fewer opportunities than men for education or formal (business) sector employment. However, several women have been appointed to cabinet positions, including that of prime minister. Domestic violence against women is reportedly common. Although legal recourse is available, many victims are reluctant to bring legal action against their spouses or are ignorant of their rights.