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| 18. SÃo Tomé and Príncipe |
| 1960 |
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| The nationalist group Comissão de Liberaça de São Tomé and Príncipe was formed. | 1 |
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| 1972 |
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| The Comissão became the Movimento de Liberaça de São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP) under the leadership of Dr. Manuel Pinto da Costa. | 2 |
| |
| 1973 |
| |
| The islands were given autonomy by Portugal. | 3 |
| |
| 1974, Nov |
| |
| Following the military coup in Portugal, the islands were given the right to be independent, and the MLSTP was recognized as the sole political party. | 4 |
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| 1975, July 12 |
| |
| Independence was granted, and Dr. da Costa became the first president. | 5 |
| |
| 1978, March |
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| Dr. da Costa alleged a coup had been planned and imprisoned his opponents. | 6 |
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| 1982 |
| |
| Worsening economic conditions contributed to a political and economic reevaluation and led in 1984 to a declaration of nonaligned status. | 7 |
| |
| 1987, Oct |
| |
| Constitutional changes were introduced and free elections planned. | 8 |
| |
| 1988, May |
| |
| Police stopped an attempted coup by a small band of armed dissidents. | 9 |
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| 1990 |
| |
| Presidential elections were scheduled, but were postponed. In October, MLSTP voted to oust Pres. da Costa. | 10 |
| |
| 1991, Oct |
| |
| Elections led to the defeat of MLSTP candidates. | 11 |
| |
| Feb |
| |
| A transitional government was headed by Daniel dos Santos Daio. | 12 |
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