São Tomé and Príncipe Prime Minister (PM) Américo Ramos has declared himself the new President of the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party following a congress held over the weekend.

The move has plunged the country’s largest political force into a deep leadership crisis. The party’s current executive faction, led by former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada, immediately rejected the election, branding the congress illegitimate and a complete farce.

ADI Vice President Celmira Sacramento confirmed that the leadership has appealed to the Constitutional Court to block the move, warning that the parallel congress violated party statutes and threatens the country’s democratic stability.

–ChannelAfrica–