Yearbook 2009
São Tomé and Príncipe. In February, the government said it had averted a coup attempt. About 30 people were arrested, including MP Arlecio Costa from the Christian Democratic Front. According to countryaah, Costa had previously been identified as one of the people responsible for a coup in 2003, which however was quickly defeated. About half of those arrested were released after questioning, but 18 people, including Costa, were detained and brought to trial in October. They were charged with membership in a criminal organization, illegal weapons possession and preparation for an attack on the state. Several of the defendants had a past as mercenaries in South African service.
In July, the former colonial power of Portugal set itself the guarantor of the Saotomean currency’s, dobrans, stability by tying it at a fixed exchange rate to the euro.