Carlos Graça facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlos Graça
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| 6th Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe | |
| In office 25 October 1994 – 31 December 1995* |
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| President | Miguel Trovoada |
| Preceded by | Evaristo Carvalho |
| Succeeded by | Armindo Vaz d'Almeida |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 December 1931 São Tomé Island, Overseas Province of São Tomé and Príncipe, Portugal |
| Died | 17 April 2013 (aged 81) Lisbon, Portugal |
| Political party | MLSTP/PSD |
| *Carlos Graça was briefly deposed from 15 August 1995 – 21 August 1995 by Manuel Quintas de Almeida. | |
Carlos Alberto Monteiro Dias da Graça (born December 22, 1931 – died April 17, 2013) was an important leader from São Tomé and Príncipe. He served as the 6th Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Biography
Carlos Graça helped start the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP). This group worked to make São Tomé and Príncipe an independent country. After a big change in Portugal in 1974, he joined a temporary government. This government helped prepare São Tomé and Príncipe for its independence.
In 1975, after the country became independent, he became the Minister of Social Affairs. Carlos Graça was one of the first people from the MLSTP to speak out. He disagreed with the government moving towards a one-party system. Because of his views, he was sent to jail for a time. He then had to leave the country in 1977. He became a main opponent of the leader at the time, Manuel Pinto da Costa.
Later, in 1987, Pinto da Costa asked Carlos Graça to come back. He wanted Graça to help prepare the country for a new system. This new system would allow many political parties to exist. From 1988 to 1990, Graça served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. During this time, he helped create a new democratic constitution. He also helped set up the country's first free elections.
After these first free elections, he became the leader of the MLSTP. He changed the party's name to the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP/PSD). His party won the elections in October 1994. Carlos Graça then became the Prime Minister. He held this job from October 25, 1994, until August 15, 1995.
There was a short military takeover, called a coup d'état, from August 15 to August 21, 1995. This takeover briefly removed the elected government. But civilian rule was brought back on August 21, 1995. Graça continued as Prime Minister until December 31, 1995. Many people see him as one of the main people who helped bring democracy to his country. After 2006, he stepped away from active political life.
Death
Carlos Graça passed away on April 17, 2013. He died in Lisbon, Portugal, when he was 81 years old.
Works
Carlos Graça also wrote several books. These include:
- Essay on the Human condition (2004)
- John Paul II Politico, his role in the fall of communism (2006)
- Che Guevara: mythical character (2007)
- Political Memoirs of a Nationalist Sui Generis Santomense (2012)
See also
In Spanish: Carlos da Graça para niños
