General Secretariat of the ACP Group

Brussels, 17 July 2003

ACP Group strongly condemns the coup d'Etat in Sao Tome and Principe

The ACP Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States strongly condemns the coup d'Etat by army rebels in one of its member states, Sao Tome and Principe. The overthrow of a legitimate and democratically elected government of the President of Sao Tome and Principe, H.E. Mr Fradique de Menezes constitutes a setback to the efforts of the international community, the ACP Group, and in particular the African Union, aimed at restoration of peace, stability and economic recovery on the African continent. The Group also condemns the seizure of the Nigerian Embassy and demand that this violation be immediately terminated, with no harm to the personnel of that Embassy.

The ACP Group calls for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order in Sao Tome and Principe. International and regional efforts and initiatives by the African Union to restore order in the country are fully supported and endorsed by the Group.

The ACP Group takes this opportunity to reiterate its condemnation of all and any attempt to overthrow legitimate and elected governments by force, and any justification of such denial of democracy. We affirm that constitutional means must be the basis for a national response to developmental problems and challenges to governance.

In this regard, we call on the military leaders of the coup to end their action against the State and allow the democratically elected Government of Sao Tome and Principe to begin the process of national reconciliation. In this process, the people and Government can count on the solidarity and support of the ACP.