Resignation of Sao Tome and Principe's Prime Minister
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Sao Tome, Jan 13 (NationPress) Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz of Sao Tome and Principe has officially resigned from her role, addressing her resignation to President Carlos Vila Nova. This decision comes in light of the untimely release of her proposed cabinet list to the public without prior notification to the president, as outlined in a presidential decree that subsequently removed her from office.
Amado Vaz, who previously served as the minister of justice, was appointed as the new prime minister just days ago, following the president's choice to dissolve the government led by Patrice Trovoada.
The decree indicated that after the previous government’s dissolution, Amado Vaz was expected to present the structure and names of her proposed government by Saturday. However, she admitted in her resignation letter that the proposed cabinet had been disclosed publicly before the president was informed.
In her resignation statement issued on Sunday, Amado Vaz articulated that her ongoing leadership would not facilitate the success of public policies nor the peaceful progress of Sao Tome and Principe, emphasizing that these goals require stability, strong institutional collaboration, and parliamentary support.
The national news agency STP-Press reported that Amado Vaz had submitted the structure of her proposed government, comprising 12 ministers, to the president on Saturday. However, the ruling Independent Democratic Action Party (ADI) published the letter on social media the same day.
The president's decision to dissolve the government has ignited political turmoil in this West African island nation.
On the day following the dissolution, Trovoada held a press briefing, labeling the president's action as unconstitutional.
Both Vila Nova and Trovoada are affiliated with the ADI, which has sought intervention from the Constitutional Court to challenge the president's decision.
In his selection of a new prime minister, Vila Nova dismissed the ADI's previous candidate, Helio de Almeida, who had formerly been the director-general of the Fiduciary and Project Management Agency and served as the governor of the Central Bank of Sao Tome and Principe.
