# Autonomy for Príncipe (1995)

URL: https://allhistories.com/sao-tome-and-principe/timeline/1995-autonomy-for-principe
Location: Santo António, Príncipe
Themes: main-event

Príncipe, about 150 km north-east of São Tomé, had been the seat of the colonial capital at Santo António from 1753 to 1852 but afterwards became a neglected periphery. Its few thousand inhabitants complained of isolation, poor transport links and dependence on decisions taken in São Tomé city. The democratic constitution of 1990 opened the way to decentralisation, and the National Assembly approved a statute of political and administrative autonomy for the island. On 29 April 1995 the Autonomous Region of Príncipe was established, corresponding to the district of Pagué. A five-member regional government headed by a president and an elected Regional Assembly took office in Santo António, with responsibility for local administration, development and services, while defence, foreign policy and justice remained national matters. Autonomy gave Príncipe a distinct political identity within the republic, and later regional presidents such as José Cassandra (2006–2020) became significant national figures. The island's special status helped it pursue its own development path, based on conservation and tourism, culminating in the designation of the island as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2012. At this point in the timeline (29 April 1995), the President of São Tomé and Príncipe was Miguel Trovoada (3 April 1991 – 15 August 1995 (deposed)). Government: the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe was Carlos Graça (25 October 1994 – 31 December 1995).

## Why it matters
Autonomy recognised the distinct identity of Príncipe and gave the smaller island self-government.

Ruler at the Time: [Miguel Trovoada](https://allhistories.com/sao-tome-and-principe/rulers/miguel-trovoada-1991)

Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe: Carlos Graça (Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Príncipe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pr%C3%ADncipe)
- [Wikipedia — Politics of São Tomé and Príncipe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9_and_Pr%C3%ADncipe)
- [Portuguese Wikipedia — História de São Tomé e Príncipe](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hist%C3%B3ria_de_S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9_e_Pr%C3%ADncipe)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Principe island](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Principe+island)