Geopolitics: Why Is São Tomé and Príncipe Suddenly Under the Spotlight?

By Scott Morgan

Why does it seem that whenever there is a Coup Attempt in the Third World the planning of the event appears to come either from a Pulp Fiction Novel or something seen on the Hollywood screen? 

Ponder on this for a moment: a small mobile force usually paid for by a third party seeking some form of Economic Access - or Political Power - in a country by placing a candidate who is bought and paid for into the seat of power, or by removing someone who has proven to be an obstacle to some well crafted plans. How many times has this scenario played out on the silver screen? Or in some well crafted novels?

On July 29th, this modus operandi played out once again in West Africa. The target of this operation was the small island nation of São Tomé.  On that date, three Spanish Veterans who had been providing Security for fishing boats off the coast of Somalia were taken into custody after it was considered to be an aborted operation. These three gentlemen were captured and are being housed in the overcrowded central prison. Their fate remains unknown due to the apparent unwillingness of the Spanish Authorities to reveal what their status is or what plans Madrid has in place to deal with the problem.

One month earlier, on June 21st, another attempt to remove the Government of Patrice Trovoada took place. In that incident a member of the Political Opposition and another disgruntled member of the Military were taken into custody. These two gentlemen were released after a brief period of custody. They are still awaiting a court date at this time.

So we have two incidents, very similar in tactics and planning, that had virtually no interest from the International Media Outlets. Why would anyone be interested in this nation situated in the Gulf of Guinea? It did play a prominent role in the international slave trade back during its heyday. There is a viable cocoa interest on the island as well. It appears that a trading operation or another possible business venture has been deemed to be protected at all costs. 

Could these incidents occur to create sympathy for the current incumbent? 

This is a scenario that the President of Equatorial Guinea used, back in 2004, when a group of South African and Zimbabwean Mercenaries were taken into custody in Harare before they could actually fly to Equatorial Guinea to launch the coup. Mugabe was rewarded with the delivery of Oil for the struggling Zimbabwean Economy.

Elections are planned for October 7th of this year in São Tomé. The main party - the Independent Democratic Action Party - controls 33 of the 55 seats in the legislature at this time. The Presidential term expires in 2021, so an attempt to solidify power may be not far from the truth. 

Very little information regarding São Tomé actually makes it to the major international media outlets such as New York and London. It does not make it to the major power centers in Washington, Brussels or Beijing either.

However, São Tomé is sitting in a very bad neighborhood so could this be an action by someone seeking to retain power?

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