Carlos Vila Nova took office for the second time as President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe on September 3, at a ceremony held in the National Assembly. The 67-year-old head of State, a telecommunications engineer by training, was previously a minister in governments led by Patrice Trovoada and is the fifth president of the archipelago, succeeding Manuel Pinto da Costa, Miguel Trovoada, Fradique de Menezes and Evaristo Carvalho.
In his inauguration, Carlos Vila Nova called for stability, unity and work as essential conditions for promoting the country's economic growth. He argued that only with stability can trust be built and investments attracted, emphasizing that political, economic and social stability are necessary. He stressed, however, that stability does not mean immobility, but rather creating conditions to work, invest, produce and plan for the archipelago's future.
The President reiterated that economic growth cannot be limited to numbers in reports, and must have a real impact on people's lives. To this end, he argued that economic development requires credible institutions, clear rules, transparency, accountability in the management of public resources and an administration capable of serving citizens and supporting those who want to work and invest.
The ceremony was attended by several foreign heads of State and Government, including the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, and of Gabon, Brice Cloraire Oguema, as well as the Prime Ministers of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, of Mozambique, Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi, of Equatorial Guinea, Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, and of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch. Carlos Vila Nova was re-elected on July 19, in the first round, with 55.88% of the votes, defeating Nito D'Abreu, Miques João and Eugénio Tiny.
