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Preliminary results from Sunday's presidential election in São Tomé and Príncipe show incumbent President Carlos Vila Nova has been re-elected to a second five-year term, according to the country's electoral commission. Vila Nova received more than 55 percent of the vote, avoiding a second-round run-off, as reported by Africa News.

His main rival, Nito Viegas D'Abreu, a member of parliament, took 41 percent, according to the same source.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets described the election as a contest between Vila Nova and D'Abreu, though the framing differed slightly. Africa News's election-night report focused on the results and the low turnout concern, while its earlier preview story provided background on the two main candidates and the country's history of attempted coups.

The Guardian placed the vote in broader political context, noting the tense atmosphere and a lingering constitutional crisis following Vila Nova's break with his former party. RFI's coverage emphasized Vila Nova's largely ceremonial role and the country's economic dependence on agriculture and tourism.

All four reports noted that the election was seen as a test of the island nation's democratic credentials, with some describing it as a model of democracy in Africa. However, the reports diverged on the characterization of that record: The Guardian highlighted the country's history of peaceful, competitive elections, while Africa News and RFI both mentioned the history of attempted coups, including one in 2022 that was thwarted by the military.

The Guardian also reported that the vote came amid a lingering constitutional crisis, stemming from Vila Nova's dismissal of then-Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada in January 2025—a move later ruled contrary to the constitution.

Key Claims

  • Vila Nova's victory: According to Africa News, preliminary results from the electoral commission gave Vila Nova more than 55 percent of the vote, sufficient to avoid a run-off; his main rival Nito Viegas D'Abreu received 41 percent.
  • Low turnout concerns: Jeudiger Nascimento, chief of the National Electoral Commission, voiced concern about low turnout, saying many people went to polling stations without casting ballots, though he gave no official figures, as reported by Africa News.
  • Candidates and alliances: Vila Nova ran as an independent, having broken with the ADI party that first brought him to power. D'Abreu, the ADI parliamentary leader, was backed by former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada, according to multiple outlets. The Guardian reported that the main opposition party, MLSTP, backed Vila Nova, while an ADI faction led by Prime Minister Américo Ramos backed D'Abreu.
  • Electoral dynamics: To avoid a run-off, a candidate needed more than 50 percent of the vote, as noted in reports from Africa News and The Guardian. The Guardian also reported that businessman Domingos Monteiro was disqualified from the race by a constitutional court ruling.
  • Political background: Vila Nova, 66, was first elected in 2021 with the support of the ADI, but he dismissed Prime Minister Trovoada in January 2025, a move later ruled unconstitutional, according to Africa News and The Guardian. The reports also noted that the president's role is largely ceremonial, with executive power held by the prime minister.
  • Country context: São Tomé and Príncipe, a former Portuguese colony with about 200,000 inhabitants, has a history of attempted coups, including one in 2022, as reported by Africa News and RFI. The country derives most of its resources from agriculture and tourism, according to RFI, and remains heavily dependent on international aid, with a large majority living below the poverty line, as noted by RFI.

Perspectives

Government/Incumbent (Carlos Vila Nova): Vila Nova campaigned on a platform of "political stability" and cast himself as the guarantor of the country's stability, as reported by Africa News and RFI. He faced criticism for dismissing former Prime Minister Trovoada, a move ruled unconstitutional.

Opposition/ADI Faction (Nito Viegas D'Abreu): D'Abreu, the 43-year-old ADI parliamentary leader, promoted himself as a representative of those born after independence in 1975, aiming to appeal to younger voters, according to RFI and The Guardian. He was backed by former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada, who leads the ADI and is seeking to regain the prime minister post in September legislative elections.