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) was an important leader in São Tomé and Príncipe, a country off the coast of Africa. He served as the country's first Prime Minister from 1975 to 1979. Later, he became the second president of São Tomé and Príncipe, holding this top position from 1991 to 2001.

Mr. Trovoada also worked for international organizations. In 2014, he became a Special Representative for the United Nations Secretary-General. He led the United Nations office that helps build peace in Guinea-Bissau. Before that, 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 high school in Angola, another country in Africa. After that, he studied law at the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

Working for Independence

In 1960, when he was still young, Miguel Trovoada helped start a group. This group was called the Committee for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (CLSTP). He co-founded it with his friend, Manuel Pinto da Costa. This group later changed its name to the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP) in 1972.

The MLSTP worked from Gabon, a nearby country. Miguel Trovoada was in charge of foreign affairs for the movement. He held this important role from 1961 to 1975. He played a key part in getting the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to recognize the MLSTP in 1972. This recognition was a big step towards São Tomé and Príncipe becoming independent.

Becoming Prime Minister

Portugal used to rule São Tomé and Príncipe. In 1974, there was a big change in Portugal called the Carnation Revolution. This event led to the end of the old government in Portugal. Because of this, many countries that Portugal ruled, like São Tomé and Príncipe, gained their independence.

After São Tomé and Príncipe became independent, Miguel Trovoada became its first Prime Minister. He started this job on 12 July 1975. He served as Prime Minister until March 1979.

During this time, there were disagreements between the President and the Prime Minister. In 1979, the President decided to remove the job of Prime Minister. After this, Mr. Trovoada faced difficulties and spent some time in detention. He then moved to France and lived there for a while.

Return to Politics and Presidency

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

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

He was re-elected as President in 1996. During his time as president, there was a short period in August 1995 when his government was briefly taken over. This was a coup d'etat, which means a sudden, illegal takeover of power. However, he was back in office within a week.

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

Later Roles and Family

On 21 January 2009, Miguel Trovoada took on a new role. He 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.

See also

In Spanish: Miguel Trovoada para niños