List of presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
Presidential standard of São Tomé and Príncipe
Coat of arms of São Tomé and Príncipe
Incumbent Carlos Vila Nova since 2 October 2021
Residence	Presidential Palace, São Tomé
Term length	5 years, renewable once
Formation	12 July 1975
First holder	Manuel Pinto da Costa
Salary	60,830,000 dobras annually

São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in Africa. It is located in the Gulf of Guinea. The country has a leader called the President. This article lists all the people who have been President of São Tomé and Príncipe. The role of President started on July 12, 1975.

The first President was Manuel Pinto da Costa. The person holding the office right now is Carlos Vila Nova. He became President on October 2, 2021.

Presidential Term Limits

How Long Can a President Serve?

In São Tomé and Príncipe, a President can only serve for a certain amount of time. This is called a "term limit." As of 2021, the country's Constitution says a President can serve for two terms. Each term lasts for five years.

This rule helps make sure that power is shared. The first President to follow these term limits was Miguel Trovoada in 2001.

List of Presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe

Understanding the List of Leaders

This section shows all the people who have been President of São Tomé and Príncipe. It includes their names, when they served, and their political parties. Sometimes, a person might be an "Acting President." This means they are temporarily in charge. They serve until a new President is officially chosen.

Political parties

     Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe – Social Democratic Party (MLSTP–PSD)      Democratic Convergence Party (PCD)      Independent Democratic Action (ADI)      Force for Change Democratic Movement – Liberal Party (MDFM–PL)

Other groups

     Military      Independent

Symbols

     Denotes Acting President

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in Office			Political party
				Started	Ended	Total time
1		Manuel Pinto da Costa (born 1937)	—	12 July 1975	4 March 1991	15 years, 235 days	MLSTP–PSD
–		Leonel Mário d'Alva (born 1935) Acting	—	4 March 1991	3 April 1991	30 days	PCD
2		Miguel Trovoada (born 1936)	1991	3 April 1991	15 August 1995 (Removed from office)	4 years, 134 days	ADI
–		Lieutenant Manuel Quintas de Almeida (1957–2006) Leader of the National Salvation Junta	—	15 August 1995	21 August 1995	8 days	Military
(2)		Miguel Trovoada (born 1936)	1996	21 August 1995	3 September 2001	6 years, 19 days	ADI
3		Fradique de Menezes (born 1942)	2001	3 September 2001	16 July 2003 (Removed from office)	1 year, 316 days	MDFM–PL
–		Major Fernando Pereira (born 1963) Leader of the Military Junta of National Salvation	—	16 July 2003	23 July 2003	7 days	Military
(3)		Fradique de Menezes (born 1942)	2006	23 July 2003	3 September 2011	8 years, 42 days	MDFM–PL
(1)		Manuel Pinto da Costa (born 1937)	2011	3 September 2011	3 September 2016	5 years	Independent
4		Evaristo Carvalho (1941–2022)	2016	3 September 2016	2 October 2021	5 years, 29 days	ADI
5		Carlos Vila Nova (born 1959)	2021	2 October 2021	Incumbent	3 years, 256 days	ADI

Timeline of Presidents

Visualizing Leadership Changes

This timeline shows how long each President of São Tomé and Príncipe served. It also highlights their political parties. This helps you see the history of leadership in the country.

See also

• Politics of São Tomé and Príncipe
• List of prime ministers of São Tomé and Príncipe
• List of presidents of the Regional Government of Príncipe
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities