São Tomé and Príncipe PM calls for stability after parliamentary blockade

Prime Minister Américo Ramos has called for ‘institutional responsibility’ following a parliamentary session blockade in São Tomé and Príncipe. Opposition deputies from the MCI-PS and PUN coalitions, along with members of the ADI, disrupted the plenary session, forcing its cancellation after only five minutes of proceedings.

The protesters are demanding the removal of Parliament President Abnildo D’Oliveira. The allegations against D’Oliveira include attempting to pressure judges to release a Chilean citizen held under an Interpol warrant. Furthermore, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice reportedly accused D’Oliveira of visiting a judge’s residence accompanied by a former Minister of Labour and a lawyer to influence judicial matters.

Américo Ramos, who recently assumed leadership of the ADI following a Constitutional Court decision, noted that the country is in a transition phase and admitted he does not yet have full control over the parliamentary group. He urged lawmakers to exercise common sense to prevent political disputes from destabilizing the nation’s institutions.