 | This articleneeds attention from an expert in São Tomé and Príncipe. The specific problem is:Article needs general expansion.WikiProject São Tomé and Príncipe may be able to help recruit an expert.(May 2020) |
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| Date | 16–23 July 2003 |
|---|---|
| Location | São Tomé,São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Type | Military coup |
| Motive | Regime change |
| Target | Presidential Palace, São Tomé |
| Organised by | Fernando Pereira |
| Participants | Faction within theArmed Forces |
| Outcome | Coup fails
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The2003 São Tomé and Príncipe coup d'état attempt was an attemptedmilitarycoup inSão Tomé and Príncipe on 16 July 2003. The coup was launched against the government of PresidentFradique de Menezes, and was led by MajorFernando Pereira. The coup leaders claimed that they had tried to overthrow the government to help stop poverty in the region.
The island nation experienced political instability previously. Just months before the 2003 coup attempt, President Menezes dissolved Parliament over disagreements related to issues of presidential power.[1] The situation was resolved after negotiations between both sides which produced an agreement to carry out reforms by 2006.[2]
President Menezes was out of the country, on a private trip toNigeria when the coup began on 16 July.[3] The coup was led by members of theChristian Democratic Front, a political party without seats inParliament. It included many volunteers of theSouth African32 Buffalo Battalion.[2] The coup started with soldiers taking control of strategic sites and arresting Prime MinisterMaria das Neves and the Oil Minister, the Prime Minister having suffered a heart attack from the gunfight in his home.[4] Although the coup had affectedSão Tomé, it had not affected the island ofPríncipe. In a press conference, Pereira claimed the poor living conditions of those in the military drove him to rebel.[2]
Negotiations between the government and the coup leaders began on the second day of the coup. The rebels accepted to relinquish control provided that they received amnesty from the government and that an election be held and a new government take office. South African diplomats were involved in the negotiations with the 32 Buffalo Battalion involved in the coup.[5]
