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
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	0 12 N, 6 39 E
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Constitution approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Executive branch > Chief of state President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Government type	republic
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Independence 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Legal system based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
National holiday	Independence Day, 12 July
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political pressure groups and leaders Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Status democracy
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Source: electionworld.org
Time required to start a business > days	144 days		[7th of 171]
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none
Source: World Development Indicators database

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