Independence came to São Tomé
and Principe on 12th July 1975 following a 500 year
period of colonial rule by the Portuguese.
Initially the Movimento de
Libertação de São Tomé e Principe (MLSTP)
took power and the governing style remained top down,
with a quasi-Marxist stance.
Many resources were
nationalised and controls were put on prices and
wages as the government followed a non-capitalist
road to development.
From the mid 1980s the
political climate began to move towards
democratisation and by 1991 the country had its first
multi party presidential and parliamentary elections.
Transition to democracy was
peaceful.
Since 1991 there have been
seven further elections, with the National Assembly
divided mainly between MLSTP, the Acção
Democrática Independente and the Partido da
Convergencia Democratica-Grupo de Reflexão. Relations
between the President, his cabinet and the National
Assembly have often been fraught.
In 1995, a coup attempted by
young army officials failed.
November 8, 1998 a
legislative election was held that gave MLSTP the
absolute majority in the National Assembly. There is
a Presidential election due in 2001.
Civil Society organizations
such as small-scale land holders or fishermen
associations are visibly on the increase and voter
participation reached 79% in the 1996 presidential
elections.
The country is made up of six
districts, with district councils, and the island of
Principe, which is an autonomous region.
In terms of external politics
São Tomé is committed to regional and international
integration. It is a member of the United Nations
System, the ACP Group, the African Development Bank,
the Non-Aligned Group of Nations (G-77),
International Bank of Reconstruction and Development,
International Monetary Fund, Interpol, International
Office of Migration as an observer, LORCS, Non
Aligned Movement, Organization of African Unity.
in history 