Miguel Trovoada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miguel Trovoada
Trovoada in 1995
2nd President of São Tomé and Príncipe
In office 21 August 1995 – 3 September 2001
Prime Minister	Carlos Graça Armindo Vaz d'Almeida Raul Bragança Neto Guilherme Posser da Costa
Preceded by	Manuel Quintas de Almeida (acting)
Succeeded by	Fradique de Menezes
In office 3 April 1991 – 15 August 1995
Prime Minister	Daniel Daio Norberto Costa Alegre Evaristo Carvalho Carlos Graça
Preceded by	Leonel Mário d'Alva (acting)
Succeeded by	Manuel Quintas de Almeida (acting)
1st Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe
In office 12 July 1975 – 9 April 1979
President	Manuel Pinto da Costa
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Celestino Rocha da Costa
Personal details
Born	(1936-12-27) 27 December 1936 (age 88) São Tomé, Overseas Province of São Tomé and Príncipe, Portugal
Political party	Independent Democratic Action
Spouse	Maria Helena Trovoada
Alma mater	University of Lisbon

Miguel dos Anjos da Cunha Lisboa Trovoada (born 27 December 1936) is a politician from São Tomé and Príncipe. He served as the first Prime Minister from 1975 to 1979. Later, he became the second President of his country, holding office from 1991 to 2001.

In 2014, Miguel Trovoada was chosen as a Special Representative for the United Nations Secretary-General. He led the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS). Before this role, he was the executive secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.

Early Life and Education

Miguel Trovoada was born in the city of São Tomé. This city is the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe. He went to secondary school in Angola, which is another country in Africa. After that, he studied law at the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

Joining the Independence Movement

In 1960, Miguel Trovoada and his friend Manuel Pinto da Costa started a group. This group was called the Committee for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (CLSTP). Their goal was to help São Tomé and Príncipe become independent from Portugal.

In 1972, the group changed its name. It became the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP). Miguel Trovoada worked as the foreign affairs director for this movement. He helped the MLSTP gain recognition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1972. This was an important step towards independence.

Becoming Prime Minister

São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portugal in 1975. This happened after a big change in Portugal called the Carnation Revolution. Miguel Trovoada became the country's first Prime Minister on July 12, 1975. He also served as the Minister of Defence.

However, there were disagreements between Prime Minister Trovoada and President Manuel Pinto da Costa. In 1979, President da Costa removed the position of Prime Minister. A few months later, Miguel Trovoada was accused of planning against the government. He was arrested and held for 21 months. After his release, he went to live in France.

Serving as President

In May 1990, São Tomé and Príncipe adopted a new democratic constitution. This allowed for more than one political party. Miguel Trovoada returned to his home country. He decided to run for president.

In 1991, Miguel Trovoada was elected President. This was the country's first multiparty presidential election. He was re-elected in 1996. When he first ran, he was not part of any political party. But during his first term, he started a new party called Independent Democratic Action (ADI).

Brief Overthrow of Government

During his presidency, Miguel Trovoada's government was briefly overthrown. This happened in a coup d'etat (a sudden, illegal takeover of government) from August 15 to August 21, 1995. However, he was quickly restored to power.

President Trovoada's term ended on September 3, 2001. Fradique de Menezes then became the new head of state.

Later Roles and Family

On January 21, 2009, Miguel Trovoada became the executive secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission. This organization works on cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea region.

Miguel Trovoada's son, Patrice Trovoada, is also a politician. He has served as the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe multiple times.

See also

In Spanish: Miguel Trovoada para niños