Carlos Vila Nova Sworn In for Second Term as São Tomé and Príncipe President

President Carlos Vila Nova has been sworn in for a second five-year term as the leader of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The inauguration ceremony was held on Thursday at the country’s National Assembly, bringing together senior government officials and several foreign leaders.

Among those attending were the presidents of Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the prime ministers of Portugal and Mozambique.

Vila Nova first took office as president in 2021 after receiving the backing of the centre-right Independent Democratic Action party.

He secured a second term in the country’s presidential election held in July, winning more than 55% of the vote in the first round. His closest challenger was Nito Abreu, a member of parliament who received backing from former prime minister Patrice Trovoada.

Despite Vila Nova’s decisive victory, voter participation was notably low. Abstention reached 59%, representing one of the lowest levels of electoral participation recorded in the country.

The president’s second term comes as São Tomé and Príncipe prepares for another important election later this month.

Unlike presidential systems where the head of state controls most executive functions, the presidency in São Tomé and Príncipe is largely ceremonial. Much of the country’s executive authority rests with the prime minister and government.

The next prime minister will emerge following legislative elections scheduled for September 27.

The parliamentary vote is expected to determine the political balance of the government and could influence the direction of the country during Vila Nova’s second presidential term.

São Tomé and Príncipe, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, operates under a semi-presidential system in which executive responsibilities are shared between the president and prime minister.

Vila Nova’s re-election therefore gives him another five years in the largely symbolic role of head of state, while the incoming government will be responsible for exercising much of the country’s day-to-day executive power.

His inauguration also highlights the continued diplomatic relationships between São Tomé and Príncipe and other Portuguese-speaking and neighbouring African countries, reflected by the presence of regional and international leaders at the ceremony.

With the legislative election approaching, attention will now shift towards the formation of the next government and how the new political leadership will work alongside Vila Nova during his second term.

The president begins his renewed mandate at a time when the country is preparing for another major electoral contest, with voters set to determine the composition of parliament and, ultimately, the leadership of the executive branch.