Africa > São Tomé and Príncipe > Government

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Administrative divisions 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995
Capital city	Sao Tome
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	0 12 N, 6 39 E
Constitution approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister
Executive branch > Chief of state President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)
Flag description three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Government type	republic
Independence 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Legal system based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
National holiday	Independence Day, 12 July
Political parties and leaders Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [[Patrice TROVOADA]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG
Status democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Time required to start a business > days	144 days		[7th of 171]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none

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