Russia Congratulates São Tomé and Príncipe on 51 Years of Independence

Dragon Media News Desk

Russia has extended its congratulations to the people and leadership of São Tomé and Príncipe as the African island nation marked its 51st Independence Day on July 12.

In a message issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were described as having symbolised the colonial system in the Atlantic for several centuries. Owing to their advantageous geographical position, the islands became an important stronghold of Portuguese expansion and one of the major centres of the transatlantic slave trade.

Portuguese sailors discovered and settled the archipelago in the late 15th century. They gradually transformed the naturally beautiful islands into one of Portugal’s earliest colonies in tropical Africa.

By the middle of the 16th century, vast sugar cane plantations had been established across the islands. Thousands of enslaved Africans were forced to work on those plantations. São Tomé became one of the earliest centres of the plantation economy of the modern era, a model that was later extended to colonial territories in other parts of the world.

Although slavery generated enormous profits for the colonial power, it brought severe human tragedy to the peoples of Africa, destroyed traditional social structures and created economic dependence that lasted for centuries, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Despite the formal abolition of slavery in 1876, forced labour continued on plantations for many decades. The colonial system remained based on the exploitation of the local population, while the people continued their daily struggle for freedom and dignity.

The Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974 accelerated the process of decolonisation. As a result, São Tomé and Príncipe proclaimed independence on July 12, 1975, bringing nearly five centuries of European colonial rule to an end.

The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that the Soviet Union consistently supported the struggle of the people of São Tomé and Príncipe for self-determination and independence.

Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and São Tomé and Príncipe were established on August 9, 1975, less than a month after the declaration of independence.

Russia said relations between the two countries today are based on friendship and mutual respect. Mutually beneficial cooperation is gradually expanding in politics, trade, the economy and other fields.

The two countries also maintain similar approaches to major international issues, including the need to strengthen the central role of the United Nations and promote the formation of a polycentric world order.

Russia congratulated the people of São Tomé and Príncipe and its counterparts on the national holiday, wishing the country well-being, stability and prosperity.