Sao Tome and Principe Passport

[Country name] The Democratic Republic of  Sao Tome and Principe; Rep ú blica Democr á tica de S ã o Tom é e Pr í ncipe.

【 Area 】 1001 square kilometers.

[Population] 223100 (2021). 90% are Bantu people, and the rest are mixed race people. The official language is Portuguese. 90% of the residents believe in Catholicism.

The capital is S ã o Tom é, with a population of approximately 71000.

Carlos Nova, the head of state, was elected in September 2021 and sworn in in October.

[Important Festival] Independence Day (July 12th); Army Day (September 6th).

【 Overview 】 An island country located in the southeastern part of the Gulf of Guinea on the west central side of Africa, 201 kilometers away from the African continent. Composed of 14 small islands including Sao Tome and Principe, as well as Loras and Caroso. It faces Gabon to the east and Equatorial Guinea across the sea to the northeast. The coastline is 220 kilometers long. Both Saint and Pu islands are volcanic islands. It belongs to the tropical rainforest climate, with an average temperature of 27 ℃ on both islands. The rainy season is from January to May, the dry season is from June to September, and the light rainy season is from October to December. The average annual rainfall is about 900 millimeters.

In the 1570s, the Portuguese arrived in Sao Tome and used it as a base for slave trade. In 1522, it became a Portuguese colony. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was occupied by the Netherlands and France. In 1878, it was once again under Portuguese rule. In 1951, it became an overseas department of Portugal. The Saint Paul Liberation Committee was established in 1960 (renamed Saint Paul Liberation Movement in 1972 and Social Democratic Party in 1990), demanding unconditional independence. In 1974, the Portuguese authorities reached an independence agreement with the Saint Pierre Movement party. On July 12, 1975, it declared its independence and was named the Democratic Republic of  Sao Tome and Principe, with Manuel Pinto da Costa as its president. After independence, it was ruled by the Liberation Movement Party for a long time. A multi-party system was implemented from August 1990. In January 1991, the Democratic Unionist Party (referred to as the "Unionist Party") won a majority of seats in the parliamentary elections and became the ruling party; In March of the same year, Miguel Trovoada was elected president. In July 1996, Trowada was re elected as president. In November 1998, the Liberation Movement Party won the parliamentary elections again and formed a new government in January 1999. In August 2001, Fradique de Menezes, the candidate of the Democratic Independence Action Party (referred to as the "Democratic Independence Party"), defeated the candidate of the Liberation Party, da Costa, and was elected president. He officially took office on September 3. In July 2006, De Menezes was re elected as the presidential candidate of the Democratic Movement Change Force/Freedom Party (referred to as the "Democratic Movement Party") and the Democratic Unity Party coalition. In August 2010, the Democratic Party led by Patrice Trovoada won the parliamentary elections and was appointed as the Prime Minister of the government. In August 2011, independent candidate and former president da Costa was elected president. In October 2014, parliamentary elections were held in Sao Tome and Principe, and the Democratic Party won an absolute majority of seats. Its leader Trowada formed a separate government and once again became Prime Minister.

In August 2016, the presidential election was held in Sao Tome, and the Democratic Party candidate Carvalho was elected. In the parliamentary elections held in October 2018, the Democratic Independence Party won 25 seats, the Liberation Movement Party won 23 seats, the Democratic Unity Party - Democratic Movement for Change - Civic Development Democratic Alliance Party Alliance (UMNO) won 5 seats, and the Saint Puy Independent Civic Movement Party won 2 seats. In November, President Carvalho issued a presidential decree announcing the formation of a cabinet by the Liberation Movement Party and the appointment of Jorge Bom Jesus as Prime Minister. On July 18, 2021, the first round of voting for the new presidential election was held in Sao Tome, with a total of 19 candidates running. Due to no one receiving more than half of the support, Democratic Party candidate Carlos Nova and Liberation Party candidate Guillermo da Costa entered the second round. In the end, Nova won the second round of voting and was elected. In September 2022, Sao Tome held parliamentary elections and the Democratic Party won an absolute majority of seats. The Chairman of the Democratic Independence Party, Trowada, was re elected as Prime Minister and sworn in in in November.

The current Constitution was promulgated in January 2003, which stipulates that Saint Paul is an independent sovereign state and a democratic rule of law based on fundamental human rights. Separation of church and state, independent judiciary. The President is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, elected by universal suffrage for a term of 5 years, and can be re elected for one term. The President has the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister, dissolve parliament, and promulgate laws, decrees, and orders.

Members of parliament serve a term of four years each. The current parliament will be elected in September 2022, with a total of 55 members, including 30 seats for the Democratic Independence Party, 18 seats for the Liberation Movement Party, 5 seats for the "Independent Citizen Movement/Socialist Party National Unity Party" alliance, and 2 seats for the "Enough Movement" party. Current Speaker Celmira Sacramento.

The current government was established in November 2022, consisting of one prime minister and 13 ministers. Prime Minister Trowada, Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights Ilza Maria dos Santos Amado Vaz (female, IzaMaria dos Santos Amado Vaz), Minister of Cabinet, Parliamentary Affairs and Sustainable Development L ú cio Daniel Lima Magalh ã es, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Overseas Chinese Gareth Haddad do Esp í rito Santo Guadalupe, Minister of Defense and Interior Jorge Amado, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Abel da Silva Bom Jesus Abel da Silva Bom Jesus, Minister of Planning and Finance Gineso Valentin Afonso Damata (Gen) É sio Valentim Afonso da Mata, Minister of Labor and Solidarity Celsio Rodrigues da Vera Cruz Junqueira, Minister of Economy Disney Leite Ramos, Minister of Health and Women's Rights Angela dos Santos Ramos Jos é da Costa, Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Jos é do Nascimento Carvalho de Rio, Minister of Environment Nilda Borges da Mata Borges da Mata, Minister of Education, Culture and Science Isabel Maria Correa Veigas de Abreu (female, Isabel) Maria Coeia Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Youth and Sports Euridice Borrges Semedo Medeiros.

The country is divided into six major regions and the autonomous region of Pr í ncipe.

The Supreme Judicial Court is the highest judicial body responsible for supervising the interpretation and application of laws by the courts, and its members are appointed by the parliament; In 2017, the Constitutional Court was established separately from the Supreme Judicial Court, mainly responsible for handling constitutional cases. Its judgments have the highest legal effect, and judges are elected by members of parliament through voting, while the president is elected by internal voting of judges; The Prosecutor General's Office is responsible for defending democracy and the rule of law, and the Prosecutor General is nominated by the government and appointed by the President. Manuel da Silva Gomes Gravid, President of the Supreme Court of Justice, Pascoal Lima dos Santos Daio, President of the Constitutional Court, and Inaudy Kelve Nobre de Carvalho, Attorney General.

According to the Political Parties Law promulgated in September 1990, a political party must have no less than 250 members and must be registered with the Supreme Court of Appeal to become legal. At the beginning of 2007, there were a total of 14 registered legal political parties.

(1) The Democratic Independent Action Party (Ac çã o Democr á tica Independente) was officially established on March 21, 1993. Now the ruling party. Chairman Patrice Trovoada.

(2) Movimento da Liberta çã o de S ã o Tom é e Pr í ncipe – Partido Social Democracy ( Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement): founded in September 1960. Formerly known as the Liberation Committee of  Sao Tome and Principe, it was renamed the Liberation Movement in 1972 and changed its current name in 1990. President Am é rico Barros.

(3) The Democratic Unity Party (Partido da Converg ê ncia Democr á tica), formerly known as the Reflection Group, was founded in November 1990. I am currently participating in politics as a member of the People's Revolutionary Alliance. Chairman Danilson Cotu.

(4) The Democratic Union for Citizen Development (Uni ã o dos Democratas para Cidadania e Desenvolcimento) was founded in May 2005 and currently participates in politics as a member of the Democratic Progressive Party. President Manuel Nascimento.

In addition, there are political parties such as Movimento Democr ã tico - For ç a da Mudan ç a/Partido liberal, Movimento Social Democrata - Partido Verde, Movimento do Cidad ã o Independente de S ã o Tom é e Pr í ncipe, and Movimento Basta.

Carlos Nova: President. Born on July 27th, 1959. Joined the Democratic Independent Action Party in 2010. Served as Minister of Public Works and Natural Resources, Member of Parliament, and other positions.

Patrice Trovada: Prime Minister. Born on March 18, 1962. He served as the Prime Minister three times from 2008, 2010, and 2014 to 2018.

Economy is an agricultural country mainly engaged in the cultivation of economic crops such as cocoa, and is listed as one of the world's least developed countries by the United Nations. After independence, a long-term economic policy dominated by state-owned economy was implemented. Economic liberalization began in 1985. In 1987, an economic structural adjustment plan was implemented, followed by a debt reduction and economic growth plan signed with the International Monetary Fund. In 2005, the Joint Development Authority of Sao Tome and Principe Nigeria signed an oil sharing contract for the first block of the joint development zone with energy companies from the United States, and Sao Tome and Principe received a signing fee of 49.2 million US dollars. This is the first petrodollar obtained by the country. In recent years, the Sao Tome and Principe government has actively sought assistance from bilateral partners such as Portugal and multilateral partners such as the International Monetary Fund. At the same time, measures have been taken to improve the investment environment, attract foreign investment, build infrastructure such as roads, develop tourism, and seek offshore oil development, resulting in a certain level of economic growth. However, due to the weak economic hematopoietic capacity, limited foreign aid and investment, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 and other reasons, the country has financial difficulties, foreign exchange income has declined, foreign debt is high, and people's living standards are seriously divided into two levels, with more than 60% of the population living below the poverty line. In 2020, the economy of Sao Tome and Principe was severely impacted by the COVID-19. The government launched a US $84 million rescue plan to boost the economy and ensure people's livelihood.

The main economic data of Shengpu in 2023 are as follows:

Gross Domestic Product: 720 million US dollars.

Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 2%.

Currency name: Dobra.

Exchange rate: 1 Euro=24.7 Dobras (fixed exchange rate).

Inflation rate: 19.9%.

(Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit)

In 1999, Mobil Oil Company discovered an oil field near the coast of St. Paul's. The estimated oil reserves are between 6-10 billion barrels, and development is still in its early stages. Royal Dutch Shell Group, Portugal's Gaopu Energy Company, France's Total Energy Company, BP, the United States' Cosmos Energy Company, Angola's National Oil Company, and others are conducting oil exploration and development business in Sao Tome and Principe. Forests and biological resources are relatively abundant, but in recent years, due to destructive logging, the coverage of pristine tropical rainforests has decreased to 28%. Shengpu has an exclusive economic zone of 160000 square kilometers and abundant fishery resources.

There are breweries and small factories for brick and tile, beverage, wood processing, clothing, printing, automobile repair, etc. In addition, there are 2 thermal power stations and 2 hydroelectric power stations.

51% of the population in the country is engaged in agricultural production. The arable land area is 48000 hectares, with 38000 hectares already cultivated. Land reform began in 1993, implementing household contract ownership. Grain cannot be self-sufficient, and grain imports account for 17% of the total import value. The major cash crops include cocoa, dried coconut, coffee, palm oil, etc. In 2020, cocoa exports amounted to 2431 tons, earning 6.7 million US dollars in foreign exchange; Palm oil exports amounted to 4882 tons, earning 3.63 million US dollars in foreign exchange.

The unique geographical location and beautiful natural landscapes provide abundant tourism resources for Shengpu, but inconvenient transportation and outdated infrastructure have affected the development of the tourism industry. Since the 1990s, tourism facilities have undergone significant improvements. In February 2004, the parliament approved the government's proposal to allow the opening of a casino in Sao Tome. In 2016, there were over 60 hotels of various types in China, with more than 1400 beds and receiving nearly 30000 tourists. In 2017, the tourism and other service industries accounted for 65% of the gross domestic product. The main tourists come from Portugal and Angola. In 2019, St. Paul's received approximately 35000 visitors. In 2020, affected by the COVID-19, Sao Tome and Principe will receive 10700 foreign tourists, mainly from Portugal, France, Angola and Germany.

The total length of highways in China is 380 kilometers, of which 250 kilometers are asphalt roads. Two ports and two airports each. There are sea routes to ports such as Lisbon and Luanda, mainly operated by Portuguese and Dutch shipping companies. Saint Paul's Airlines has been included in the EU no fly list due to aircraft safety issues. In addition, airlines from Portugal, Angola, Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and other countries have flights to Sao Tome.

In 2007, Saint Paul's obtained significant debt relief from the International Monetary Fund, Paris Club, and other organizations, reducing its external debt from over 300 million US dollars to about 80 million US dollars, and improving its fiscal situation. In recent years, the debt has increased again, accounting for 94.8% of GDP (of which the debt owed by the National Hydropower Company to the National Fuel Company accounts for 31%). In 2019, foreign exchange reserves amounted to 47.2 million US dollars. In 2020, foreign exchange reserves amounted to 75.3 million US dollars. In 2021, foreign exchange reserves amounted to 97.7 million US dollars. (Source: London Economic Quarterly Q2 2022) The total fiscal budget for Saint Paul's in 2024 is 178 million euros.

The main export product of foreign trade is cocoa, in addition to palm oil, coconut jerky, coconut oil, coffee, etc. Mainly imports grain, fuel, industrial products, and daily consumer goods. The main export destinations are the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal; The main source countries for imports are Portugal and Angola. The foreign trade volume in 2022 is about 200 million euros, including imports of 184 million euros and exports of 16 million euros. (Source: Saint Paul's National Bureau of Statistics)

St. Paul's is one of the countries in the world that receives the most foreign aid per capita, with 90% of its development funds relying on foreign aid. The main aid countries and multilateral institutions are Portugal, France, the United States, Germany, Japan, the European Union, as well as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, and the International Monetary Fund. In 2017, the United Nations Development Programme signed a cooperation agreement with Sao Tome and Principe for the period of 2017-2021, providing $13 million in related assistance to Sao Tome and Principe. In 2018, the World Bank announced that it would provide $10 million to Sao Tome and Principe for social projects over the next five years, and sign an institutional capacity building and budget support agreement with Sao Tome and Principe, providing $15 million in financing for this purpose. In the same year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provided $4.6 million to Sao Tome and Principe for the implementation of climate change projects. In 2019, the World Bank signed a cooperation agreement with Sao Tome and Principe, announcing the provision of $10 million over the next five years for poverty reduction and livelihood projects such as tourism training schools; Provide 29 million US dollars in free aid for the renovation of National Highway 1. Japan donated 3390 tons of rice and $1.5 million worth of building materials to St. Paul's, providing 1.6 million euros in aid for fisheries, food security, and infrastructure construction. In 2020, the World Bank provided $10 million in financial assistance to Sao Tome and Principe, the African Development Bank provided $7 million, and the International Monetary Fund provided $4 million; Sao Tome and Principe has signed a financing agreement with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development, which will provide $25 million in funding to Sao Tome and Principe over six years to support farmers; The World Bank provided US $3.5 million, WHO provided US $4 million worth of material and technical assistance, the United Nations Development Programme provided US $2.5 million in material assistance, and the African Development Fund provided US $10 million in grants to support Sao Tome and Principe in combating the COVID-19; The Global Fund provides $12 million to St. Paul's for the implementation of infectious disease prevention and control projects from 2021 to 2023; Japan provides 2800 tons of rice aid to Sao Tome and Principe; Kuwait Fund provides a loan of 17 million US dollars for the renovation of St. Paul's National Center Hospital. In March 2021, the World Bank approved an additional $8 million in aid for the St. Paul's Social Security and Skills Development Project, bringing the total project assistance to $18 million. In June, the World Bank announced that it would allocate an additional US $6 million for Sao Tome and Principe to support COVID-19 vaccination. In March 2022, the International Monetary Fund disbursed $2.7 million in financial assistance to Sao Tome and Principe. In May, the World Bank approved a $18 million social assistance project for Sao Tome and Principe to support social recovery after the COVID-19 epidemic. In February 2023, Japan provided 2800 tons of rice aid to St. Paul's. In March, the World Bank invested $23.9 million to launch a five-year digital project in Sao Tome and Principe. St. Paul's signed a $15 million preferential loan agreement with the European Investment Bank for the renovation of the water supply system.

According to the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Report 2021/2022, the St. Paul's Human Development Index is 0.618, ranking 138th globally. The life expectancy of the population is 67.6 years, 35.6% of the population lives below the income poverty line, and the Gini index is 40.7%. There are 3 hospitals, 6 maternity hospitals, 3 comprehensive outpatient departments, 1 maternal and child health center, and 1 national health education center in the country. There are a total of 218 medical personnel, including 76 doctors and 580 hospital beds..

The armed forces were established in 1975, consisting of the army, coast guard, presidential guard, and militia, with a total of approximately 1000 personnel. The weapons and equipment are outdated, mainly from Portugal and the former Soviet Union. The President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Chief of the General Staff is Major General Jo ã o Cravid. There are approximately 600 police officers nationwide.

The state attaches great importance to education and implements free education in primary and secondary schools. There are about 80 primary schools, 20 secondary schools, 1 public university, and 2 private universities in the country. In February 2004, St. Paul's implemented reforms to the education system, reducing the duration of compulsory basic education from 4 years to 6 years. In 2020, the literacy rate was about 91.1%, and the enrollment rate of children exceeded 95%. At the beginning of 2018, the high school enrollment rates were 68% and 32%, respectively. From the academic year 2020 to 2021, there were approximately 82000 registered students at St. Paul's College. The government focuses on teacher training and hires foreign teachers to teach. In addition, the country also sends international students to study abroad every year. There are 6 libraries nationwide with a collection of 14000 books; There is one national archive and one museum each.

The Secretariat of the State Council for Press and Publication is the competent authority for national news organizations. The main media include the National News Agency, National Television, National Radio, etc. The television station has been broadcasting since 1982. The radio station broadcasts in Portuguese for 17 hours daily. In April 2000, the Pr í ncipe Autonomous Region Radio, built with the assistance of Portugal, officially began broadcasting. In November 2007, France's TV5- Monde Afrique premiered in Sao Tome.

Adhering to a foreign policy of peace and good neighborly friendship, advocating for the establishment and development of friendly and cooperative relations with all countries, in order to better utilize international cooperation resources and serve the economic development of Saint Paul; Focus on developing relationships with important development partners such as China, the European Union, neighboring countries, Portuguese speaking countries in Africa, and other Western aid countries; Maintain African unity, attach importance to regional cooperation, and support the realization of African integration; Emphasizing the resolution of disputes through dialogue and calling for the establishment of a new international political and economic order. It is a member state of the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, and the Organisation of La Speaking Countries. In 2023, he will take over the rotating presidency of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.

The EU is an important development partner of Sao Tome and Principe, providing assistance in areas such as road construction, port expansion, waste disposal, drinking water, sanitation, and agriculture. Bilateral fishing cooperation agreements have been signed. In 2019, the European Union renewed its 5-year fisheries cooperation agreement with Sao Tome and Principe, providing an annual fishing fee of 1.4 million euros to Sao Tome and Principe. In 2014, the EU and Sao Tome and Principe signed the 2014-2020 Country Guidance Plan, investing 35 million euros for the implementation of two projects including Sao Tome and Principe's drinking water and sanitation, and agricultural exports. In February 2022, President Nova went to Brussels to attend the 6th EU African Union Summit.

Portugal is the largest aid donor to Sao Tome and Principe, and the two countries have signed multiple agreements on friendly cooperation, trade, culture, and technology. In 2016, both parties signed a 5-year cooperation agreement, under which Portugal provided over 50 million euros in aid. In December 2021, the two countries signed a strategic cooperation plan for 2021-2025, with a total amount of 60 million euros. Portuguese non-governmental organizations send doctors, teachers, and engineering technicians to Sao Tome and Principe. Frequent high-level visits between the two countries. In 2016, Prime Minister Trowada visited Portugal. In 2017, President Carvalho visited Portugal, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Minister of Defense, and others visited Sao Tome and Principe. In 2018, the President and Defense Minister of Portugal visited Sao Tome and Principe. In 2019, Portuguese President de Sousa passed through Sao Tome and Principe; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Overseas Chinese Affairs of Sao Tome and Principe, Pinto, visited Portugal. In 2020, Portuguese Defense Minister Clavenio visited Sao Tome and Principe. In February 2021, Portuguese Foreign Minister Silva held a video conference with S ã o Paulo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Teng Juwa. In October, Portuguese President de Sousa attended the inauguration ceremony of President Nova. In November, Prime Minister Jesus visited Portugal. In December, Portuguese Prime Minister Costa visited Sao Tome and Principe. In June 2022, Prime Minister Jesus went to Portugal to attend the second United Nations Ocean Conference. In December, Prime Minister Trowada visited Portugal. In January 2023, Prime Minister Trowada visited Portugal. The autonomous region of Sao Tome and Principe has established a sister city relationship with the city of Aveiro in Portugal. In February, Portuguese Foreign Minister Craveneo visited Sao Tome and Principe.

The United States provides a small amount of aid to Sao Tome and Principe every year, and the two countries have military cooperation projects. In 2006, the US military set up a regional maritime monitoring radar in Sao Tome. In 2010, Prime Minister Sao Tome and Principe visited the United States. In 2012, Prime Minister Trowada visited the US Africa Command, and the Commander of the US Africa Command and the US Congress delegation visited Sao Tome and Principe respectively. In 2013, the US Secretary of the Navy visited St. Paul's. In 2014, Prime Minister Gabriel went to the United States to attend the US Africa Summit. In 2018, Prime Minister Trovada visited the United States. In November 2021, Rear Admiral Reynolds of the United States Navy visited St. Paul's. In December, President Nova attended the "Leadership People Summit" via video conference. In recent years, the Saint Paul Coast Guard has participated in multinational maritime military exercises led by the US Africa Command and involving Gulf of Guinea countries. Voice of America has a transit station in St. Paul's. In December 2022, Prime Minister Trovada went to the United States to attend the US Africa Summit. In September 2023, Prime Minister Trovada and his wife held a meeting with US President Biden and his wife in New York (during the UN General Assembly).

[Relations with Angola] Angola is an important neighbor and energy provider of Sao Tome and Principe, with frequent personnel exchanges between the two countries. In 2015, President Costa visited Angola and Prime Minister Trovada attended the country's independence celebration. In 2016, Prime Minister Trowada visited Angola. In 2017, President Carvalho attended the inauguration ceremony of President Lorenzo. In 2019, Prime Minister Jesus visited Angola twice, and Speaker Neves went to Angola to attend parliamentary meetings of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. In 2020, Foreign Minister Tengjova of Sao Tome and Principe visited Angola, and Vice President Sousa of Angola visited Sao Tome and Principe. In February 2021, the Sao Tome and Principe Parliament voted to pass the "Agreement between Sao Tome and Principe and Angola on Mutual Visa Exemption for Citizens of Both Countries". In October, Vice President Sousa attended the inauguration ceremony of President Nova. In November, President Nova visited Angola. In May 2022, President Nova paid a state visit to Angola. In August, President Nova and Prime Minister Jesus went to Angola to attend the funeral of former President Dos Santos. In December, Prime Minister Trowada visited Angola. In March 2024, Angola dispatched the first batch of medical teams to assist Sao Tome and Principe.

There was a maritime oil field boundary issue between Sao Tome and Principe and Nigeria. In 2001, the two countries officially signed an agreement on the joint development of a maritime mixed exclusive economic zone, and established a ministerial level joint committee for oil development in 2002. In 2015, President da Costa attended the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Buhari. In 2018, Prime Minister Trovada visited Nepal. In December 2021, Prime Minister Jesus visited Nigeria to attend the Nigerian Entrepreneurs Forum. In January 2022, the Chief of General Staff of Sao Tome and Principe visited Nepal. In May, Saint Paul's Speaker Neves went to Nigeria to attend the Conference of African Parliamentary Presidents.

The relationship with other African countries is relatively close with Portuguese speaking countries such as Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, as well as neighboring countries such as Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. In 2015, Prime Minister Trowada visited Equatorial Guinea and attended the Central African Conference on Combating the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram in Cameroon. In 2016, President da Costa visited Cape Verde and attended the inauguration ceremonies of the Presidents of Congo (Brazzaville) and Equatorial Guinea. Prime Minister Trovada visited Morocco, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, and the Prime Minister of Cape Verde visited Sao Tome and Principe. In 2017, Prime Minister Trovada attended the inauguration ceremony of Rwandan President Kagame and Speaker Diogo visited Equatorial Guinea. In 2018, President Carvalho attended the 50th anniversary celebration of Equatorial Guinea's independence, Prime Minister Trowada visited Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Mali, and Gabonese President and Cape Verde Prime Minister visited Sao Tome and Principe. In 2019, President Carvalho visited Equatorial Guinea and attended the Central African Economic Community Summit in Gabon; Prime Minister Jesus' visit to Morocco; Speaker Neves went to Cape Verde to attend a parliamentary meeting of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries and made an official visit to Morocco; Equatorial Guinea's Speaker Muhaba and Gabon's Presidential Envoy and Foreign Minister Enze visited Sao Tome and Principe. In 2020, President Carvalho attended the video summit of the Economic Community of Central African States and the offline summit held in Gabon, and Prime Minister Jesus visited Equatorial Guinea. In February 2021, Prime Minister Jesus attended the 34th African Union Summit via video conference and delivered a speech. In May, President Carvalho paid a state visit to Guinea Bissau; Prime Minister Jesus attends the Portuguese speaking Countries Trade Summit in Equatorial Guinea. In June, Guinea Bissau's President Mbalo visited Sao Tome and Principe. In July, President Carvalho and Prime Minister Jesus went to Angola to attend the summit of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. In September, Cape Verde Prime Minister Silva visited Sao Tome and Principe. In April 2022, Prime Minister Jesus visited Cape Verde. In May, President Nova went to Equatorial Guinea to attend the African Union summit. In August, President Nova visited Gabon. In December, President Nova went to Equatorial Guinea to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Mbasogo. In February 2023, Prime Minister Trowada visited Gabon. In March, President Nova visited Cape Verde. In September, Prime Minister Trowada attended the Special Summit of the Economic Community of Central African States held in Equatorial Guinea.