São Tomé and Príncipe Grapples with Organized Crime, Corruption, and Economic Challenges

Despite efforts to modernize its judicial system and combat organized crime, São Tomé and Príncipe continues to struggle with corruption, political influence, and a lack of resources. The country’s proximity to the Niger Delta and pirate groups has raised concerns about maritime security.

Judicial System Challenges

The judicial system is plagued by:

Budgetary difficulties
Shortage of specialized personnel
Inadequate infrastructure

These challenges have led to:

Trials being dropped against politically connected individuals
Prolonged pre-trial detention for some criminal cases

Law Enforcement Challenges

Law enforcement agencies face challenges in responding to and curbing criminality due to:

Lack of necessary equipment
Qualified personnel shortages

The government is working to address these issues through international cooperation, but more needs to be done.

Economic Challenges

São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy is fragile and vulnerable to external shocks. The country faces:

High levels of unemployment
Low wages exacerbating incentives for organized crime
Regulatory environment hindering entrepreneurship

The government has initiated efforts to strengthen cooperation between institutions to prevent corruption, money laundering, and organized crime.

Maritime Security Concerns

São Tomé and Príncipe’s proximity to the Niger Delta and pirate groups raises concerns about maritime security. The country relies heavily on:

Portuguese and foreign vessels
Warships to combat piracy

More needs to be done to improve its own capabilities.

Civil society organizations in São Tomé and Príncipe face challenges in operating independently due to limited funding. While there are no restrictions on NGOs, their ability to effectively operate is hindered by:

Lack of resources

The government has initiated efforts to support victims of organized crime, but there are no established programs in place.

Freedom of the Press

Freedom of the press is constitutionally guaranteed in São Tomé and Príncipe. However, the media sector is limited in size and influenced by governments. Online media is poorly developed, with only:

42% of the population having internet access

Acknowledgments

This report was made possible through a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.