São Tomé and Príncipe's presidential election campaign ends Friday as voters prepare to choose a new leader on July 19. Leading candidates Nito d'Abreu, backed by the ADI party, and incumbent Carlos Vila Nova, supported by the MLSTP, are holding final rallies in the capital.
Vila Nova has emerged as the clear frontrunner following the withdrawal of Jorge Bom Jesus. The Constitutional Court admitted five candidates in total, though Bom Jesus's late exit left four on the ballot. Approximately 142,000 voters are registered across the islands and diaspora.
The European Union is deploying an observation mission led by Portuguese MEP Sergio Humberto to monitor the vote. The election comes as the nation balances international partnerships, having signed a military cooperation agreement with Russia in April 2024 covering training, arms cooperation, and intelligence sharing.