Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes (born 21 March 1942)[1] is a São Toméan politician who was the third president of São Tomé and Príncipe from 2001 to 2003 and again from 2003 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 (acting) |
| 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 | 21 March 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
editMenezes 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
editMenezes is a 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 the World Peace Culture Award on July 13, 2002.
References
edit- ^ a b "Portugal Digital - Fradique de Menezes vence presidenciais em São Tomé e Príncipe". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
- ^ a b Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe, African Elections Database.
- ^ "New president sworn-in", IRIN, September 4, 2001.
- ^ "Fradique de Menezes new president on Sao Tomé", afrol News, August 6, 2001.
- ^ "Coup leaders hand power back to civilian president", IRIN, July 23, 2003.
- ^ "Incumbent wins vote", IRIN, August 2, 2006.
- ^ "Sao Tome leader 'still in charge'", AFP, February 25, 2009.