Fradique de Menezes

Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes (born March 21, 1942)[1] was the President of São Tomé and Príncipe from 2001 to 2011.

Fradique de Menezes
3rd President of São Tomé and Príncipe
In office July 23, 2003 – September 3, 2011
Prime Minister	Maria das Neves Damião Vaz d'Almeida Maria do Carmo Silveira Tomé Vera Cruz Patrice Trovoada Joaquim Rafael Branco Patrice Trovoada
Preceded by	Fernando Pereira
Succeeded by	Manuel Pinto da Costa
In office September 3, 2001 – July 16, 2003
Prime Minister	Guilherme Posser da Costa Evaristo Carvalho Gabriel Costa Maria das Neves
Preceded by	Miguel Trovoada
Succeeded by	Fernando Pereira (Acting)
Personal details
Born	March 21, 1942 São Tomé, Overseas Province of São Tomé and Príncipe, Portugal
Political party	Force for Change Democratic Movement-Liberal Party
Alma mater	Free University of Brussels
Occupation	Businessman

Early life

Menezes was born on the then Portuguese colony of São Tomé in 1942, the son of a Portuguese man and a local woman. He attended high school in Portugal. He then studied at the Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada in Lisbon, Portugal and Free University of Brussels.[1]

Career

Menezes is a successful businessman. He was Foreign Minister of São Tome and Príncipe from 1986 until 1987. He was elected President in July 2001 with about 55.2% of the vote, defeating Manuel Pinto da Costa, who received about 40%.[2] Menezes took office on September 3, 2001.[3] His eligibility as a candidate was questioned, since he also held Portuguese citizenship, but he renounced this and his candidacy was approved.[4] On July 16, 2003, while he was away in Nigeria, there was a military coup d'etat led by Fernando Pereira, but Menezes was restored to power on July 23, 2003, following an agreement.[5]

Menezes was re-elected on July 30, 2006, winning 60.58% of the vote and defeating Patrice Trovoada, son of former president Miguel Trovoada.[2][6]

The discovery of a coup plot allegedly involving Christian Democratic Front leader Arlecio Costa was announced on February 12, 2009. Costa and more than 30 others were arrested. At a press conference on February 24, Menezes said that he was "touched" by the support of the security forces; he also said that he would be willing to leave office if he was "the reason that things are not working in this country".[7]

Menezes received World Peace Culture Award on July 13, 2002.

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe, African Elections Database.
3. "New president sworn-in", IRIN, September 4, 2001.
4. "Fradique de Menezes new president on Sao Tomé", afrol News, August 6, 2001.
5. "Coup leaders hand power back to civilian president", IRIN, July 23, 2003.
6. "Incumbent wins vote", IRIN, August 2, 2006.
7. "Sao Tome leader 'still in charge'", AFP, February 25, 2009.

External links

• President Menezes' address to the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 26, 2008