afrol News, 17 July - While the situation in São Tomé is calm the day after the military coup on the islands, President Menezes, currently in Nigeria, pleads the international community for help. World leaders meanwhile strongly condemn the coup.

Yesterday morning, a military junta led by Major Fernando "Cobó" Pereira took power in a bloodless coup in São Tomé and Príncipe. The Major, who named himself army chief-of-staff, has announced the formation of a "National Salvation Junta," which was to lead the islands state during a "transition period," which was to lead to democratic elections in an unknown future. All elected institutions were however sidelined by the junta.

Coup leader "Cobó" in a press conference yesterday said the junta asked "the international community to listen the misery existing in São Tomé and Príncipe." The rebel military leader added it was "unacceptable that the majority of the population in São Tomé and Príncipe lives below the poverty limit in contrast to a minority enjoying wealth."

Major "Cobó" held that the coup leaders had intentions of "constructing conditions for the holding of free elections in the country." While the junta had dissolved parliament and government, Major "Cobó" said the "provisional leadership" of the country would be guaranteed by a "State Council". He however did not mention the council's composition, when it was to be formed and how long the "transition period" was to last.

Also yesterday, it became known that the coup makers had formed an alliance with the relatively unknown political party Christian Democratic Front (FDC), which has never achieved representation in the São Toméan parliament. FDC leaders have proclaimed their support for the "Salvation Junta". FDC Vice-President Sabino dos Santos today further acted as the junta's spokesman.

Meanwhile, leading São Toméan politicians are being detained by the junta. Prime Minister Maria das Neves, who was detained at home when the coup started, was reported to have suffered a physical collapse at the hour of detention. Ms Neves is reported to be hospitalised and under medical scrutiny. There are no reports on the destiny of other elected leaders detained by the junta.

Spokesman Mr dos Santos told the press that the junta was to release all government officials from detention this evening. Further, the international airport was to be re-opened. Mr dos Santos declined to answer a question to whether President Menezes would be welcome to return to São Tomé from Nigeria, but claimed the junta had had telephone contact with the President.


International condemnation

São Toméan President Fradique the Menezes and Foreign Minister Mateus Meira Rita however escaped detention as they were on state visits abroad during the coup; respectively in Nigeria and Portugal. While abroad, Mr Menezes and Mr Rita are urging the international community to condemn the coup.

While being guest of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja, President Menezes called for help from "all democrats, world leaders and African leaders" to end the coup. "Africa cannot attain greatness with bad governance, corruption and coups d'état," he said in a statement. Mr Menezes added he was "very concerned" and wanted to return to his country as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Rita, meanwhile, was attending a conference of lusophone countries in Portugal. Here, he assured quick response and condemnation of the coup by fellow Portuguese-speaking countries, including former colonial power Portugal. The Foreign Minister conference demanded a quick return to democracy in São Tomé and Príncipe.

A stronger condemnation was pronounced by Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, who also holds the presidency of the African Union. In a declaration read out on 'Rádio Moçambique', Mr Chissano demanded a speedy return to "constitutional order". He further threatened the coup leaders, saying they "still have the possibility to normalise the situation." The Mozambican President also indicated São Tomé could be thrown out of international organisations and unions. The Nigerian government joined in strongly condemning the coup.

Also the US government is reacting strongly to the coup and may cancel its aid to São Tomé and Príncipe. US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher yesterday told the press in Washington his government "deplored" the coup and "strongly urge those involved to release the arrested government officials." He did not rule out US assistance in helping President Menezes back to power.

According to US law, the government is obliged to stop its aid if it determinates that a coup has taken place. Mr Boucher however said at present, "we are still waiting for all the facts to make whatever implications and legal determinations there might be." He said the US was giving an annual aid of "several hundred thousand" US$ to São Tomé, being mostly humanitarian and military aid.

Likewise, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan this night strongly condemned the coup d'état in São Tomé and Príncipe and called for "the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order." Mr Annan also called for the prompt release of government officials detained during the coup. "The Secretary-General reiterates his firm condemnation of any attempts to seize power by force," the UN statement said.

Also the French government yesterday condemned the coup. A spokesman of the French Foreign Ministry said his government was "concerned by the events developing in São Tomé ... intervening in a country where democracy is well established." France was appealing for a return to "the democratic legitimacy," while mobilising its embassy in Libreville (Gabon) for a possible need to protect French interests in São Tomé.


Oil interests

Meanwhile, speculations on the real intentions of the coup are mostly bound to the oil wealth soon to come. While the archipelago currently is among the world's poorest countries, investments in an offshore oil production have already started. Only the known reserves could make oil millionaires of each and every São Toméan citizen if evenly distributed.

Although coup leader Pereira "Cobó" claims the rebellion had social motives, most analysts say a wish by the military to get control of the upcoming oil industry is a more motive. "Many people are expecting to get rich quickly," Gerhard Seibert of Lisbon's Institute of Scientific Tropical Investigations told Reuters, adding that the military already had made demands to be involved in the oil industry before the coup.

President Menezes confirmed this interpretation from his Nigerian exile. "People are smelling the oil," he told the BBC when explaining the coup. The extensive contracts for lucrative oil exploitation - to begin in an estimated four years - are in the process of being made. The totally unexpected coup d'état in a country without harsh conflict lines therefore is remarked by its timing.

But also President Menezes has been criticised for his treatment of the oil sector. A recent open letter to the President, signed by São Toméan ex-diplomats, alleged Mr Menezes was obtaining personal benefits from oil explorations. Others however hold that transparency in São Tomé and Príncipe has become rather high and that government was firmly dedicated to the fight against poverty.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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