SÃO TOMÉ, São Tomé and Príncipe — President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova was sworn in Thursday, September 3, for a second five-year term as head of state of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, following his first-round re-election in July.
The inauguration took place at the National Assembly in São Tomé, the country’s capital, and was attended by senior African and Portuguese officials. The ceremony opened Vila Nova’s new mandate less than a month before voters are due to return to the polls for legislative, regional and local elections.
First-round election victory
Vila Nova secured re-election in the presidential vote held on July 19, 2026. Provisional results released by the São Tomé and Príncipe National Electoral Commission gave him 31,596 votes, representing 55.94% of valid ballots.
Some reports published around the inauguration cited a slightly different figure of 55.88%. The 55.94% share is the percentage reported in the electoral commission’s provisional count and carried independently by Lusa and other news organizations.
By receiving more than half of the valid votes in the first round, Vila Nova won a new term without the need for a second-round contest. Thursday’s ceremony formally began the next five-year period of his presidency.
Reconciliation and confidence
In his inauguration address, Vila Nova identified political reconciliation and the restoration of confidence as commitments for his second term, according to the presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The priorities place dialogue and public trust at the center of the new mandate as São Tomé and Príncipe moves into another major stage of its 2026 electoral calendar. The president begins the term while political parties and election authorities prepare for three sets of elections scheduled later in September.
Vila Nova’s remarks did not remove the immediate focus on the coming votes, which will determine representation at the legislative, regional and local levels. Those elections are scheduled for Sunday, September 27, a date confirmed by São Toméan electoral reporting and the European Union Election Observation Mission.
Regional leaders attend ceremony
Among the confirmed foreign guests at the National Assembly were Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Mozambican Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi also attended, bringing together representatives from African states and Portuguese-speaking partners for the start of Vila Nova’s second term.
The DRC presidency said Tshisekedi participated in the investiture ceremony and reported Vila Nova’s emphasis on reconciliation and renewed confidence. The attendance of the two Central African presidents placed regional diplomatic relations prominently within the day’s proceedings.
Portugal highlights bilateral cooperation
Montenegro’s visit also focused attention on relations between Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe. The Portuguese government quoted the prime minister as describing the relationship between the two countries as one of “great proximity” and “strong cooperation.”
His participation came as the two governments prepared to give new momentum to bilateral cooperation. Montenegro was the senior Portuguese representative among the international guests present for the inauguration in São Tomé.
The ceremony concluded one phase of a closely scheduled election year but did not end the country’s voting calendar. Campaigning and preparations for the September 27 legislative, regional and local contests now form the next immediate political test following Vila Nova’s return to office.
The European Union Election Observation Mission has identified September 27 as the date for the combined elections. Their timing means the opening weeks of Vila Nova’s second mandate will coincide with continued electoral activity across the country.
