At midnight (01:00 in Lisbon), in Independence Square at the center of São Tomé, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa witnessed the arrival of the ‘Flame of the Nation’ torch, a tradition marking the commencement of the official celebrations for July 12, and he applauded the event.
In the hour preceding the torch’s arrival, the two presidents walked slowly through the square, mingling with the gathered crowd to the tunes of artists like Garrido and Sebastiana, who performed on the festival stage celebrating the historic date.
“Let’s make this a moment of joy, cultivating peace, harmony, and looking towards progress. This is my wish for this country,” declared Carlos Vila Nova, near the end of the celebration, close to 01:00 (02:00 in Lisbon), addressing journalists.
The President of São Tomé and Príncipe was responding to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who had asked whether he did not feel “a very, very happy man to be able to experience this historic moment,” while they walked back to the Presidential Palace.
“In our lives, 50 years is maturity. In the life of a nation, 50 years is youth. We must look at these 50 years completed today and reflect on everything we’ve done, everything we couldn’t do, and plan for the future, considering how we will achieve what we want,” remarked the São Toméan head of state.
Carlos Vila Nova expressed gratitude for Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s presence, referring to him as “a good personal friend of São Tomé and Príncipe” and expressed hope to “rely on that friendship” even after their tenures end.
The two leaders and other dignitaries departed Independence Square on foot, after watching a fireworks display by the sea.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in São Tomé on Friday afternoon and, following a reception for the Portuguese community at the Portuguese Embassy, was welcomed by Carlos Vila Nova at the Presidential Palace, where they later dined.
São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence on July 12, 1975, after five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule.
Today, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will attend the Central Act of the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations of São Tomé and Príncipe in the morning at Independence Square, followed by an official lunch at the National Assembly.
In this official visit, the Portuguese head of state is accompanied by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier, and deputies from the seven parties with parliamentary groups: PSD, Chega, PS, IL, Livre, PCP, and CDS-PP.
Two years ago, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his desire to participate in celebrations of the independence of Portuguese-speaking countries, which were former Portuguese colonies.
At the time, he also announced his wish for these countries’ heads of state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of April 25, 1974, in Portugal, which has been confirmed.
In 2023, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited Guinea-Bissau with the then Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, and more recently, he was in Mozambique and Cape Verde, invited by their respective presidents, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of these countries’ independence.
