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Fradique de Menezes
Fradique de Menezes is a São Toméan politician who served as the third president of São Tomé and Príncipe, holding office from 2001 to 2003 and then again from 2003 to 2011. He has been involved in the country's political landscape and is known for his resilience in leadership, having been restored to power after a military coup during his first term.
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FRADIQUE DE MENEZES
Fradique de Menezes was born on March 21, 1942, in São Tomé, then a Portuguese colony. The son of a Portuguese father and a local mother, he pursued his education in Portugal and Belgium, studying at the Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada in Lisbon and the Free University of Brussels.
Menezes built his career as a businessman before entering politics. He served as the Foreign Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1986 to 1987. In July 2001, he was elected President with approximately 55.2% of the vote, defeating former President Manuel Pinto da Costa. Menezes assumed office on September 3, 2001. His initial eligibility was questioned due to his Portuguese citizenship, but he renounced it, allowing his candidacy to proceed.
On July 16, 2003, while Menezes was in Nigeria, a military coup led by Fernando Pereira temporarily ousted him. However, by July 23, 2003, Menezes was reinstated following an agreement that restored him to power.
He was re-elected on July 30, 2006, winning 60.58% of the vote against Patrice Trovoada, the son of former President Miguel Trovoada. During his presidency, a coup plot involving Arlecio Costa was uncovered in February 2009, leading to the arrest of Costa and over 30 others. Menezes expressed his gratitude to the security forces and indicated his willingness to step down if necessary for the country’s well-being.
In recognition of his efforts for peace, Menezes was honored with the World Peace Culture Award on July 13, 2002. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fradique_de_Menezes
GOVERNING TIME LINE
Fradique de Menezes assumed the presidency of São Tomé and Príncipe on September 3, 2001, after winning the election with approximately 55.2% of the vote. His eligibility was initially questioned due to his Portuguese citizenship, but he renounced it, allowing his candidacy to proceed. On July 16, 2003, Menezes was temporarily ousted from power by a military coup led by Fernando Pereira while he was in Nigeria. However, he was restored to office on July 23, 2003, following an agreement that reinstated him. Menezes continued to serve as president until his re-election on July 30, 2006, and he remained in office until the end of his term.