Sao Tome, Aug. 27, 2026 (Lusa) - The president of Sao Tome and Príncipe said on Thursday that the National Police must remain above political disputes and focus on internal development, emphasising the need to respect the authority of the state, whilst strengthening institutional trust and democratic values.
«The National Police belongs to all citizens. It must therefore remain beyond political disputes and act with the same impartiality towards everyone, regardless of their beliefs, social status or political views,» Carlos Vila Nova said.
In a year marked by the presidential elections on 19 July, with parliamentary, local and regional elections scheduled for 27 September, the president praised the public's civic-mindedness and acknowledged the professionalism of the defence and security forces, calling for the upcoming electoral challenges to be met «with the same composure, the same sense of responsibility and the same commitment to social peace».
Carlos Vila Nova was speaking at the ceremony marking the 51st anniversary of the National Police, which saw the induction of 185 new officers, 161 of whom are men and 24 of whom are women, bringing the total strength to around 900. The president said he expected discipline, professionalism, courage, balance and respect for the law from them.
«Let us recognise that authority differs from arbitrariness, firmness from abuse, approachability from permissiveness, and neutrality from inaction,» he stated.
The president acknowledged the needs and priorities for strengthening and modernising the National Police; however, he emphasised that «true modernisation begins with people, is consolidated within institutions and is realised through the resources placed at the service of the mission».
«Sustainable institutional reform depends on valuing those who breathe life into institutions. Human capital must be at the heart of the National Police's modernisation. A well-trained, disciplined, motivated police officer who is aware of their responsibilities is one of the most important investments the State can make,» he said.
At a time when discourse surrounding institutions and organs of sovereignty is sometimes heated, particularly on social media, he stated that Sao Tome and Príncipe «is going through a phase in which it is essential to strengthen trust in institutions».
«Institutions must function, the authority of the state must be respected, citizens' rights must be guaranteed, and everyone must understand that democracy thrives within a framework of rules,» he emphasised, adding that democracy means freedom with responsibility, rights accompanied by duties, and also the right to criticism, opposition and dissent, all within respect for the law, for institutions and for the freedom of others.
The Commander-General of the PNSTP, Aurito Vera Cruz, said that training occupies a central place in the institution's strategic vision; he therefore argued that ongoing professional development and effective career progression «are essential conditions for consolidating a culture of excellence and strengthening the institution's operational capacity».
As for the forthcoming elections, he noted that the Defence and Security Forces will be able to meet the legitimate expectations of citizens and «say that the process will be even safer, more peaceful and transparent, characterised by civic-mindedness».
Furthermore, he stated that the Defence and Security Forces «call for the political and institutional courage to bring about a genuine reform of the internal security system, tailored to the demands of the present and the ambitions of the future».
Aurito Vera Cruz also highlighted «the implementation of a national CCTV system» as a strategic necessity for crime prevention, supporting criminal investigations and promoting greater security for all.
JYAF/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
