São Tomé & Príncipe 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon, which oversees security for U.S. interests in São Tomé & Príncipe. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in São Tomé & Príncipe (STP). For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s STP country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses São Tomé and Príncipe at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed São Tomé as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe has a population of approximately 200,000 people; the majority live on the island of São Tomé.

Violent crime directed toward expatriates or foreign tourists is infrequent. The most common crime expatriates report is theft of unaccompanied items. Crimes such as burglary, pick-pocketing, and armed home invasion have occurred on the islands, particularly around the winter holidays. Pickpocketing is prevalent in markets, on the streets, or near hotels. Use caution when visiting popular night spots.

In January 2019, a U.S. citizen reported that she was a victim of sexual assault outside of a hotel in São Tomé. Double-check with their lodging accommodations about after-hours access and personal safety practices. Most hotels in São Tomé city and resorts on the outlying islands have safeguards in place that match security standards (providing 24-hour guards, locking doors and safes in each room) found in Western countries. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security.

Some local gangs engage in robberies, hold-ups, and thefts, but not organized crime. Violent crime is rare, though there are isolated incidents of violence in the commission of robberies. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Cybersecurity Issues

U.S. Embassy Libreville has not received any reports of card skimming. E-Commerce does not exist in São Tomé and Príncipe. Practice the same protection of personally identifiable or private information that you would at home. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

U.S. Embassy Libreville does not restrict travel for its employees.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

São Tomé and Príncipe are mountainous volcanic islands. There are no highways; most roads are narrow with two lanes and very serpentine. While major roads are generally in good repair, exercise caution nonetheless. Smaller roads in villages are at times nothing more than dirt tracks. Rural and suburban areas alike are poorly lighted and pose additional safety hazards due to pedestrians and animals crossing the roads. Vehicles lack proper maintenance and often lack headlights.

Traffic accidents are one of the greatest dangers to visitors to STP. Exercise extreme caution both as a driver and a pedestrian, as enforcement for speeding and reckless driving has historically been non- existent. This may be changing though; visitors to São Tomé have reported that police are cracking down on unlicensed drivers. Still, road hazards include poor street lighting, failure by drivers to obey traffic signals, a lack of marked pedestrian crossings, livestock and wild animals on roadways, slow moving vehicles, large trucks, inebriated drivers and erratic stopping by taxis, motorbikes, and other vehicles.

Always drive defensively. Always keep belongings out of plain view. Always lock vehicle doors, fasten seat belts, and roll up windows. While stopped in traffic, scan rearview mirrors to identify potential trouble. At a stop light or sign, leave adequate maneuver room between vehicles to allow for a hasty departure if necessary.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

Many residents use motorcycle taxis or minivans to go from place to place. Strongly consider other transportation options before opting to take a motorcycle taxi, preferably a vehicle with seat belts and other safety features. Every year, there are serious accidents involving these motorcycles. Drivers often lack helmets for passengers and drive recklessly.

Although taxis are fairly safe, you should make sure that the taxi has seatbelts and negotiate the rate before entering the taxi. If you are staying at a hotel, ask the front desk personnel to call a taxi for you, as they generally use reliable providers. Hotels can also identify private drivers for hire.

Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in STP, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of STP’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.

Travel by air to and from STP and between the islands can be frustrating for even the most seasoned traveler. Flights are often delayed and canceled, sometimes for days. Pack any required medicines, important documents, or valuables in a carry-on. Baggage frequently goes missing and lost. Local airlines do not have to pay restitution for lost bags.

Airline service to STP is limited. Flights are available from Lisbon by TAP and STP Airways, and regionally by Ceiba Airline and Afric Aviation. Ceiba and Afric Aviation flights are subject to frequent delays and sudden cancellations. African Connection flies between São Tomé & Príncipe islands four times a week and arranges charter flights.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed São Tomé as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed São Tomé as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Civil Unrest

STP is a relatively peaceful democracy. It was a colony under Portugal, and had a peaceful transition to independence. Over the last 15 years, there have been a couple of coup attempts; one in 2003 resulted in a special military unit disbanding. In 2012, a parliamentary shake-up led to confusion as to who legitimately held power, but there was no violence. In August 2018, there was an attempted coup against then Prime Minister Trovoada and President Carvalho which ended without incident. Despite the coup attempts, STP has an overall history of peaceful transition of power. In the most recent Presidential elections, in 2016, there was no notable violence. When there is protest activity in the capital, it general occurs in the Riboque neighborhood near the Vitoria F.C. soccer stadium.

In October 2018, immediately after legislative elections, protesters in downtown São Tomé alleged misconduct in the vote counting procedure. Protesters overturned and set afire the vehicle of a local judicial official at the national election headquarters. When the official recused herself from the vote counting procedures, order returned.

In October 2019, a demonstration involving the arrest of a member of the Universalist Church resulted in the death of a child and injuries to 13 persons when police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Local residents may set up roadblocks as a form of protest. Common complaints include a lack of running water or electricity in the village. After the arrival of police, there can be prolonged discussions between residents and police, sometimes involving local politicians to mediate. In December 2018, chronic power and water outages led to demonstrations and roadblocks on São Tomé, with the effect of cutting off parts of the island to the capital for several hours at a time.. Local officials were able to defuse the situation, allowing fuel trucks to pass the roadblocks and deliver the diesel necessary to generate electricity for the island.

Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

Most STP residents have a favorable view of U.S. nationals and of the United States.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

During the rainy season, torrential downpours and heavy winds can cause severe damage to villages and bridges. There have been no major natural disasters in recent history. However, rising sea levels threaten coastal communities. Deforestation, coastal erosion, poor waste management, and misuse of natural resources also are challenging issues.

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

São Tomé experiences regular power outages. A long-term rehabilitation plan is underway to address its capacity to generate electricity. Restricted capacity at the main port increases the periodic risk of shortages of consumer goods.

Economic Concerns

Contract enforcement in the country’s judicial system is difficult.

Personal Identity Concerns

Domestic violence is a crime punishable by up to eight years in prison when it results in harm to the health of the victim, and up to 16 years in prison when it leads to a loss of life. However, domestic violence remains widespread throughout the country. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI+ events in STP. Some societal discrimination does exist, and there are no legal protections for LGBTI+ individuals against discrimination. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith- based travelers.

STP law does not prohibit discrimination against those with disabilities, but reported discrimination is rare. The law does not mandate accessibility and it is not available in most areas. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Drug Crimes

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in STP are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Kidnapping Threat

Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Other Issues

Taking photographs of the Presidential Palace, military, or other government buildings is illegal. Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries.

Police Response

The nationwide emergency number is 2222222. In the event of an emergency, the local police are typically the first point of contact. However, police response is slow, and investigations never initiate. Prosecutions are very slow, if they are even initiated. The National Police are responsible for traffic enforcement, security at major events, and criminal investigations. The police and security forces often lack communications equipment, weapons and ammunition, and vehicles and gasoline, all of which limits their ability to respond to routine and emergency calls. Any response is limited generally to writing a report or taking statements.

Incidents of police or security force harassment or detention of foreigners are rare. U.S. citizens who become victims of police harassment should be polite and cooperative. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Medical Emergencies

There is limited adequate medical care. In the event of a traumatic injury or medical emergency, consider temporary stabilization and medical evacuation (medevac), if possible. Availability of doctors and access to hospital facilities is unreliable, medical equipment does not function or lacks trained operators, medicines and surgical tools may not be available, and sanitary conditions may be substandard. Emergency responders and medical personnel rarely speak English. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy of Gabon’s website.

Medical insurance may not cover any procedures. Have available local currency to pay in advance for any procedures. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas.

The following diseases are prevalent: Malaria; Yellow fever; Diarrheal illness; Rabies; Tuberculosis; and Schistosomiasis. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for São Tomé and Príncipe.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad.

OSAC Country Council Information

São Tomé does not have a country council. Contact OSAC’s Africa team for more information.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

There is no U.S. Embassy in STP. The U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon oversees security for U.S. interests in STP. There are currently direct flights between Libreville and São Tomé four days per week (Sunday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday). The Embassy is in the Sabliere neighborhood of Libreville, across the street from Hotel Onomo. Embassy Operator: +241-01-45-71-00 Website: http://ga.usembassy.gov/

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

• OSAC Risk Matrix • OSAC Travelers Toolkit • State Department Traveler’s Checklist • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)