Fradique de Menezes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rdPresident of São Tomé and Príncipe | |
| In office July 23, 2003 – September 3, 2011 | |
| Prime Minister | Maria das Neves Damião Vaz d'Almeida Maria do Carmo Silveira Tomé Vera Cruz Patrice Trovoada Joaquim Rafael Branco Patrice Trovoada |
| Preceded by | Fernando Pereira(acting) |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Pinto da Costa |
| In office September 3, 2001 – July 16, 2003 | |
| Prime Minister | Guilherme Posser da Costa Evaristo Carvalho Gabriel Costa Maria das Neves |
| Preceded by | Miguel Trovoada |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Pereira(acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1942-03-21)21 March 1942 (age 83) |
| Political party | Force for Change Democratic Movement-Liberal Party |
| Alma mater | Free University of Brussels |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes (born 21 March 1942)[1] is a São Toméan politician who was the thirdpresident of São Tomé and Príncipe from 2001 to 2011.
Menezes was born on the then Portuguese colony ofSão Tomé in 1942, the son of a Portuguese man and a local woman. He attended high school in Portugal. He then studied at theInstituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada in Lisbon,Portugal andFree University of Brussels.[1]
Menezes is a businessman. He wasForeign Minister of São Tome and Príncipe from 1986 until 1987. He waselectedPresident in July 2001 with about 55.2% of the vote, defeatingManuel Pinto da Costa, who received about 40%.[2] Menezes took office on September 3, 2001.[3] His eligibility as a candidate was questioned, since he also held Portuguese citizenship, but he renounced this and his candidacy was approved.[4] On July 16, 2003, while he was away inNigeria, there was a militarycoup d'etat led byFernando Pereira, but Menezes was restored to power on July 23, 2003, following an agreement.[5]
Menezes wasre-elected on July 30, 2006, winning 60.58% of the vote and defeatingPatrice Trovoada, son of former presidentMiguel Trovoada.[2][6]
The discovery of a coup plot allegedly involvingChristian Democratic Front leaderArlecio Costa was announced on February 12, 2009. Costa and more than 30 others were arrested. At a press conference on February 24, Menezes said that he was "touched" by the support of the security forces; he also said that he would be willing to leave office if he was "the reason that things are not working in this country".[7]
Menezes received theWorld Peace Culture Award on July 13, 2002.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of Foreign Affairs 1986–1987 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of São Tomé and Príncipe 2001–2003 | Succeeded by Fernando Pereira Acting |
| Preceded by Fernando Pereira Acting | President of São Tomé and Príncipe 2003–2011 | Succeeded by |
