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
Presidente da República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe
Coat of arms of São Tomé and Príncipe
Presidential standard of São Tomé and Príncipe
Incumbent Carlos Vila Nova since 2 October 2021
Type	Head of state
Residence	Presidential Palace, São Tomé
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of São Tomé and Príncipe (1975)
Formation	12 July 1975; 51 years ago (1975-07-12)
First holder	Manuel Pinto da Costa
Salary	Db 60,830,000 annually

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This article tells you about the leaders, called presidents, of São Tomé and Príncipe. This is a small island country in Central Africa. The job of president started in 1975. Manuel Pinto da Costa was the very first president. The current president is Carlos Vila Nova, who started his job on October 2, 2021.

Understanding the President's Role

The president is the head of state for São Tomé and Príncipe. This means they are the main representative of the country. They help guide the nation and work for its people.

How Long Can a President Serve?

In São Tomé and Príncipe, a president can only serve for two terms. Each term lasts five years. This rule is part of the country's main law, called the Constitution. Miguel Trovoada was the first president to follow this two-term limit in 2001.

Leaders of São Tomé and Príncipe

Here is a list of all the people who have been president of São Tomé and Príncipe. It shows when they started and finished their time in office.

Political Groups

•      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

List of officeholders

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 factions

     Military      Independent

Symbols

     Denotes acting president

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Term of office			Political party
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
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 president	—	4 March 1991	3 April 1991	30 days	PCD
2		Miguel Trovoada (born 1936)	1991	3 April 1991	15 August 1995 (Deposed)	4 years, 134 days	Independent (until 1994)
							ADI
—		Lieutenant Manuel Quintas de Almeida (1957–2006) Chairman of the National Salvation Junta	—	15 August 1995	21 August 1995	6 days	Military
(2)		Miguel Trovoada (born 1936)	1996	21 August 1995	3 September 2001	6 years, 13 days	ADI
3		Fradique de Menezes (born 1942)	2001	3 September 2001	16 July 2003 (Deposed)	1 year, 316 days	MDFM–PL
—		Major Fernando Pereira (born 1963) Chairman 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	4 years, 312 days	ADI (until 2026)
			2026				Independent

Timeline

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Jefes de Estado de Santo Tomé y Príncipe para niños

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