Sao Tome & Principe is one of the smallest African countries. It is a country of two islands; Sao Tome & Principe both of volcanic origins, a major cocoa exporter and a Portuguese colony.Sao Tome was also a transit for slaves in the 1400s, where convicts where settled with the help of slaves. The population of Sao Tome & Principe is estimated to be 160,000 according to the United Nations.
The head of state is as unique as the country itself. President Fradique de Menezes was born bi-racial, from a Portuguese father and Sao Tomean Mother. He Schooled in Portugal and had possessed dual citizenship, though he later relinquished his Portuguese citizenship to run for office.
President Fradique was elected by a majority in 2001.But his rule has faced a fair share of coups as in the case of his predecessor. While in Nigeria he was ousted from office in a weak military coup on 16th July 2003, in his 3rd year in office. It was short lived, however, he regained power just a week later on 23rd July, after an agreement with the coup leaders to restore democratic rule, was reached.
The country however has been dependent on fishing and Cocoa exports, but is now working towards diversifying its economy with newly discovered oil off the country’s coast. Drilling is underway, and commercial production is expected soon.
In February of this year a coup attempt was thwarted with 30 members of the Christian democratic front being arrested. Weeks later in a press conference President Menezes stated that he would be willing to leave office if he was, “the reason that things are not working in this country”.
If you were given the chance to rule Sao Tome & Principe what would be the first thing you would do?
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