Who runs local government in São Tomé and Príncipe?
A small island state with two layers below the national government: six district authorities on São Tomé island, each with an elected district assembly and an executive district council (câmara distrital), and the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, which has its own elected Regional Assembly and Regional Government. Local and regional elections are held alongside national legislative elections. There is no formal chieftaincy.
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe · Unitary semi-presidential republic · Central Africa
The levels of government below the nation
| Level | How it is chosen | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Region of Príncipe (1) | Regional Assembly directly elected; Regional Government formed from it, headed by a president | Own political and administrative statute; can pass regional decrees on matters of specific regional interest. |
| Districts on São Tomé island (6) | District Assembly elected by universal, direct and secret ballot; it oversees a collegial executive, the District Council (câmara distrital) | Local services such as markets, local roads, sanitation and local development. |
Three questions about local power in São Tomé and Príncipe
Are local leaders elected?
District assemblies and the Regional Assembly of Príncipe are directly elected; executives are chosen from or by them.
Which laws set up local government?
Local power is set out in Title IX of the constitution (organs of local power) and Article 137 (Príncipe's autonomy). Community associations are informal or registered NGOs.
Who are local leaders accountable to?
Voters, plus administrative supervision by the national government over Príncipe and the districts (the constitution gives the government this power). The Constitutional Court hears appeals about elections in regional and local assemblies.
Traditional and customary authority
No significant formal role. There are no recognised traditional chiefs. Churches (mainly Catholic) and community elders are respected socially, and many rural communities grew up around former colonial plantations (roças) where community leaders and associations organise daily life.
Community and neighbourhood power
The constitution says local authorities should work 'in close collaboration with the participatory organisations of citizens'. In practice these are residents' and community associations, cooperatives in former plantation communities, and church groups.
Points to know
- Foreign residents may be allowed to vote and stand in local elections on a reciprocal basis.
- Referendums cannot be held between the calling and holding of national, regional or local elections.
- The President of the Regional Government of Príncipe sits on the Council of State.
Local terms
- Câmara distrital
- The executive district council on São Tomé island.
- Roça
- A former colonial plantation; many villages grew up around them.
Sources
- Sao Tome and Principe's Constitution of 1975 with Amendments through 2003, Constitute Project, checked 14 October 2026
- Sao Tome and Principe's Constitution of 1990 (earlier text, for comparison), Constitute Project, checked 14 October 2026
See also: São Tomé and Príncipe's official statistics and leaders · the 10 levels of power.