On 08 April, the United States (US) government revised its travel advisory for Sao Tome and Principe from Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”) to Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”).
The new advisory cites the risks of unrest and health, specifically noting the potential for demonstrations linked to the country’s political climate. On the health front, the advisory notes that medical services in the country are limited, and even minor health issues may require medical evacuation.
The change in advice comes as somewhat of a surprise, given that there have been no recent security events in the country that indicate heightened risk. Meanwhile, most other countries continue to advise only normal precautions for travellers. These include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany,
Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
So, what prompted the United States’ concern?
It appears that the US warning is based on two concerns: an upcoming period of elections in the country and the lack of a US diplomatic presence on the islands.
The country is set to hold presidential elections in July and a legislative election in September. While these will involve some tension, there is no current indication that they will be overly disruptive or violent. Of course, the situation could change – but it seems that the US is adopting a particularly cautious
approach to the next few months.
Second, there is no current US consular representation in Sao Tome and Principe, which means that it’s harder for the US government to look after its nationals in the country. The US embassy in Angola is responsible for US travellers in Sao Tome and Principe, and travel between Angola and the islands
requires a flight.
Can I still travel to the country?
It’s our position that you can still travel to Sao Tome and Principe, but we recommend the following:
- If you can, avoid travelling to the country between May and the end of July – which is considered
a politically sensitive period this year due to elections. - Monitor government advisories on the country and local news sources ahead of your trip. The
best local news sites are RSTP and Tela Non. - Take out adequate travel insurance that includes the provision for medical and security
evacuations.
Finally, to understand more about the risks you face and how to limit them: