Democratic Republic of Sao Tomé e Principe: Parties, influence groups and human rights

Résumé du document

The islands of Sao Tomé and Principe were colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century and were then used as a slave trading point. Later in the 19th century they began to export cocoa. After the decolonization in 1951 the country finally came to independence in 1975. A one-party-regime was installed which built up strong relations with the socialist countries and governed the state until a democratic constitution was introduced peacefully in 1990. It then allowed opposition parties and as a consequence first multiparty elections took place in 1991 . Since then several elections were held and so far democracy does work at least better than in most of the other African countries. Today STP is one of the least developed countries of the world with a gross domestic product of 46.5 million dollars but an external debt of 250.8 million dollars . Therefore it is dependent on international aid and interested in getting money from wherever possible. Besides it belongs to the so called micro states, the group of the smallest existing countries and thus has to face certain problems.

Extraits

[...] Ausbruch aus der Isolation”, Europa Union Verlag, Bonn 1987 BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/- /1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1465408.stm Published: 2003/07/16 09:31:58 GMT http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/- /1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1064541.stm Published: 2003/07/16 09:23:26 GMT http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/africa/3107443.stm Published: 2003/07/30 10:24:53 GMT http://www.electionworld.org/election/saotome.htm; “Elections in Sao Tomé” Seibert, Gerhard; “Comrades, Clients and Cousins. Colonialism, socialism and democratisation in Sao Tomé and Príncipe”, Ridderprint, Ridderkerk http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/tp.html All internet sources are based on the status of the 15th of december 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/- /1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1465408.stm CIA - The World Factbook Sao Tome and Principe.htm Schümer, Martin; Sao Tomé und Principe, p. xi ff. Seibert, Gerhard; “Comrades, Clients and Cousins. Colonialism, socialism and democratisation in Sao Tomé and Príncipe”, p Seibert, Gerhard; “Comrades, Clients and Cousins. [...]

[...] It was founded in 1990 by Alfonso dos Santos and followers who tried to invade STP in March 1988. Later it was transformed to FDC-PSU Frente Democrata Crista - Partido Social da Unidade. However it never had the opportunity to formulate policy options[14]. AP The Alianca Popular was founded in 1993 by Carlos Espirito Santo who is also known as Bené. It proclaims a close cooperation with Portugal concerning defense, currency, economy etc[15]. The leaders Pinto da Costa Manuel Pinto da Costa was president of STP from 1975 to 1991 as the head of the former MLSTP. [...]

[...] This paper should give an overview over the home affairs, parties and influence groups and the implementation on human rights in STP. Analysis of parties, influence groups and the human rights situation in Sao Tomé e Principe The system of multipartyism parties in general Local elections have been held in Sao Tomé e Principe (STP) since the 16th century[4], but after the decolonisation in the 19th century a period of a socialist one-party-state took place. Secret ballot and party pluralism had not existed until the installation of the constitution in 1990. [...]

[...] The ADI The Accao Democratica Indipendente (Independent Democratic Action) is very closely linked to president Trovoada, entirely based on him and was only founded to defend his personal interests. As a consequence it forbids factions. President Menezes is a member of the ADI.[12] A closely linked organization is the Fundacao Solidariedade which has been founded by his wife and cooperates with the UNDP. CODO The Democratic Opposition Coalition has been founded by three small Lisbon- based exile groups in 1990. Its members are former political prisoners and other dissidents who returned from exile in Portugal and Gabon. [...]

[...] Nowadays he is a wealthy cocoa exporter and very in favour of an oil-exporting future of STP. Moreover he tries to improve STP's relations with other West African countries. In domestic politics he is willing to reduce the bureaucracy and develop the country. But nevertheless he is a very belligerent person. son of a Portuguese father and a Sao Tome mother, the 61-year-old businessman is a dynamic, outspoken and volatile character famous for not exactly remembering tomorrow what he said the day before. [...]