Ilza Amado Vaz, recently appointed Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, resigned citing the premature release of her cabinet list to the public. This incident followed the dissolution of the previous government by President Carlos Vila Nova. Her resignation has led to political controversy, with Trovoada challenging the legality of the president’s actions.
Ilza Amado Vaz, the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, tendered her resignation to President Carlos Vila Nova on January 13, 2025. This decision was influenced by the early public disclosure of her proposed cabinet list prior to informing the president, as indicated in a presidential decree that also dismissed her from office. Amado Vaz, who had previously served as Minister of Justice, was appointed just days earlier after the president dissolved the previous government led by Patrice Trovoada.
The presidential decree mandated Amado Vaz to deliver her proposed cabinet’s structure and names by Saturday. However, the cabinet details were disclosed on social media by the ruling party, the Independent Democratic Action Party (ADI), before being shared with President Vila Nova. In her resignation letter, she expressed that her leadership could not effectively advance public policies or foster the country’s stability and development without adequate institutional support and parliamentary backing.
The resignation has ignited significant political controversy in Sao Tome and Principe. Following the government’s dissolution, Trovoada termed the presidential decree unconstitutional during a press conference and has since appealed to the Constitutional Court. Notably, Vila Nova opted not to select Helio de Almeida, the ADI’s earlier nominee for prime minister, who had extensive experience as the director-general of the Fiduciary and Project Management Agency and previously governed the Central Bank of the country.
The resignation of Ilza Amado Vaz as Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe highlights significant political tensions within the nation. Following the premature release of her proposed cabinet list, her departure reflects growing instability and conflict between the president and the former government led by Patrice Trovoada. The continued political fallout remains to be seen as appeals regarding constitutional matters progress.
Original Source: global.chinadaily.com.cn
