São Tomé president wants proactive forces to fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

“In the regional context, in the Gulf of Guinea, the geostrategic position of São Tomé is of great importance, a position that we should take advantage of to create a better future for the women and men of this country,” said Carlos Vila Nova at the official ceremony for the 47th anniversary of the Armed Forces of São Tomé and Principe, which took place today.

Carlos Vila Nova stated that it is necessary to address the challenges faced today in the maritime defense of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of São Tomé and Príncipe, such as terrorism, illegal and undeclared fishing, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, environmental pollution and other forms of unlawful activities.

“Of these illegal activities, I would like to highlight maritime piracy, which affects trade routes important for the movement of goods. Combating them requires a proactive stance and special measures by our armed forces, especially the Coast Guard, in cooperation with friendly countries and regional and international partners,” the head of state stressed.

It is the first time that Carlos Vila Nova presides over the central act on Sept. 6, Armed Forces Day and Holiday in São Tomé and Príncipe.

This year, the usual act of swearing in new soldiers did not take place due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During these 47 years, our Armed Forces have fulfilled their missions as established by the Constitution and the National Defense Law.”

“I must therefore mention the important role that the Armed Forces have played in strengthening internal security,” said Carlos Vila Nova, defending that “despite the country’s scarce financial resources, the State must provide the necessary resources to carry out military tasks and missions.”

The head of state also stressed that “the contribution of the Armed Forces does not end at the level of specifically military missions, but also in the social sphere and in supporting development,” as well as in transmitting and promoting “noble ethical values inherent and characteristic of the military state, such as unity, discipline, work, honor, spirit of sacrifice, loyalty, love of country and others.”

Three days before the start of campaigning for the legislative, regional, and municipal elections set for Sept. 25, the President of São Tomé and Príncipe stressed that “the Armed Forces, together with other security forces and services, will once again be called upon to ensure an orderly and peaceful process before, during and after the elections.

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Olinto Paquete, also called on the military to remain “impartial, non-partisan and professional in their actions and attitudes” to “demonstrate once again that the military institution is a fundamental guarantor of the rule of law and not a reality that happens to exist alongside it.

BACKGROUND

São Tomé and Príncipe is a Portuguese-speaking island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa.

It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about 150 km (93.21 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 km (155 and 140 mi) off the north-western coast of Gabon.

With a population of 201,800, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles.

The legacy of Portuguese rule is visible in the country’s culture, customs, and music, which fuse European and African influences.

São Tomé and Príncipe is a founding member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

São Tomé and Príncipe has functioned under a multiparty system since 1990. With regard to human rights, there are guarantees on freedom of speech and the freedom to form opposition political parties.

São Tomé and Príncipe finished 11th out of the African countries measured by the Ibrahim Index of African Governance in 2010, a comprehensive reflection of the levels of governance in Africa.

São Tomé and Príncipe is considered a free country, with very high freedom of speech, high political freedom, and average economic freedom.

In terms of corruption, São Tomé and Príncipe is a country with average corruption, although this level has decreased in recent years.

In tourism terms, the risk is low, equivalent to the risk of visiting France.