Secretary-General condemns coup in SAO Tome and Principe

Abstract

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, issued a statement condemning the coup d'état in São Tomé and Príncipe on 15 August, during which the armed forces arrested President Trovoada, Prime Minister Graça, and members of the Cabinet. The coup attempted to overthrow the country's first democratically elected government. The Secretary-General emphasized that the use of force is unacceptable for resolving internal disputes and urged the armed forces to respect the constitution, allowing the elected government to resume its democratic mandate immediately.