The president of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, has dismissed the government, including Prime Minister Patrice Emery Trovoada, accusing the administration of “prolonged absences” and failing to address significant economic, financial, and social challenges.
In a statement issued on Monday, Vila Nova announced his decision to remove the current administration and gave Trovoada’s party 72 hours to form a new government. While the exact trigger for this move remains unclear, the dismissal reflects growing tensions within the leadership of this African island nation.
São Tomé and Príncipe, often praised for its stable democracy in a region prone to violent power struggles and autocratic rule, has experienced its share of challenges. In November 2022, the country faced a failed coup attempt in which four assailants were killed during an assault on military barracks. 
Following the coup, accusations of election rigging and political repression surfaced, with opposition figures like former presidential candidate Delfim Neves detained.
International observers, including Freedom House, have raised concerns about corruption and governance issues under Trovoada’s government, citing instances of nepotism, misuse of foreign aid, and protection of military officers implicated in abuses during the coup aftermath.
These issues, coupled with growing public discontent, have put pressure on the nation’s political leadership.
While São Tomé and Príncipe’s democratic institutions remain robust, the president’s decision to dismiss the government underscores the challenges the country faces in navigating governance and public trust.
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