Sao Tome Armed Forces Day Date: September 6
Armed Forces Day is a public holiday in Sao Tome.
In Sao Tome, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on September 6th. Armed Forces Day is celebrated to recognize and honor the valor of their military force.
History of Sao Tome Armed Forces Day
São Tomé’s armed forces are the smallest in Africa. The armed forces retain a stealthy influence in the political scene of the country, and that at times the military has become blatant and has provoked political crises. A program of internationally funded restructuring since late 2003 has sought to reduce the influence of the army and plans put it under civilian authorities has began. There has been progress in recent years to improve the capabilities of the armed forces and police forces and to augment national security. There are serious concerns over the reality that São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) has a history of political instability. Coup d’états were attempted in 1995 and 2003.
STP has the possibility of becoming a major oil producer since the discovery of oil reserves. This has also elevated the small island state into a state with potential strategic importance in the Gulf of Guinea. The US consistently upholds friendly relations with STP since STP is steeped in Catholic traditions and it is not an Islamist threat. The US is providing training to São Toméan military officers.
The policy of the armed forces in the late 1970s and 1980s centered on defeating foreign-backed invasion forces of mercenaries or rebel forces that were attacking by land or sea. By the late 1980s and 1990s, the set of guidelines of the armed forces turned to internal security and paramilitary duties. Upon the discovery of offshore oil, the concentration of the armed forces has changed to improving the country’s coast guard capabilities. STP will depend on its ties to Angola and Nigeria, and its warm relations with Portugal, France and the US, for its external security needs.
Sao Tome Armed Forces Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
There are military parades through the streets of the capital of São Tomé on Armed Forces Day.
