A new dawn for Sao Tome and Principe as Carvalho takes over

As Evaristo Carvalho takes office as president of Sao Tome and Principe this Saturday, September 3, 2016, the second smallest African island and former Portuguese territtory in the Gulf of Guinea, the way the election unfolded and what awaits the new president is of interest to many.

First, Carvalho came to power in rare manner after the incumbent president Manuel Pinto Da Costa dropped out accusing the opposition of voting irregularities during the first round.

The victory and taking over the relay baton is a remarkable comeback for Carvalho who has long been eying the presidential seat.

Carvalho narrowly lost the last presidential election to Pinto Da Costa in 2011.

He leads the country of 200,000 inhabitants after serving twice as prime minister then as president of the national Assembly and minister of defence.

Sao Tome and Principe has been dependent on Cocoa production since it gained independence in 1975.

Carvalho now has the task of diversifying the economy especially with focus on oil potential and servicing external debts.

Optimism is high in the archipelago that the new president will lift the nation from its doldrums.