Summary

São Tomé and Príncipe ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 27 January 2020. It has participated in meetings of the convention, most recently in May 2022. São Tomé and Príncipe voted in favor of a key United Nations (UN) resolution promoting the convention in December 2021.

São Tomé and Príncipe states that it has never used or stockpiled cluster munitions, and it is not known to have produced or transferred them. However, São Tomé and Príncipe must provide a transparency report for the convention to formally confirm its cluster munition-free status.

Policy

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008, ratified it on 27 January 2020, and became a State Party on 1 July 2020.

São Tomé and Príncipe has not indicated if it will enact specific legislation to guide and enforce its implementation of the convention.

São Tomé and Príncipe’s initial Article 7 transparency report for the convention was due by 28 December 2020, but had not been submitted as of August 2022.

During the Oslo Process, São Tomé and Príncipe participated in the formal negotiations of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Dublin in May 2008, where it supported a comprehensive ban without exceptions.[1]

São Tomé and Príncipe has participated in several meetings of the convention, including the Ninth Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2019, and the intersessional meetings held in May 2022.[2]

In December 2021, São Tomé and Príncipe voted in favor of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution urging states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[3]

São Tomé and Príncipe has voted in favor of UNGA resolutions condemning use of cluster munitions in Syria.[4]

São Tomé and Príncipe has not shared its views on certain important issues relating to the convention’s interpretation and implementation, including Article 21 on relations with states not party to the convention, and the prohibitions on transit, foreign stockpiling, and investments in cluster munition production.

São Tomé and Príncipe is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).

Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling

In September 2019, São Tomé and Príncipe stated that it does not possess cluster munitions, which it described as a “scourge to humanity.”[5] Previously, São Tomé and Príncipe stated that it had never used cluster munitions.[6] It is not known to have ever produced or transferred cluster munitions.

São Tomé and Príncipe must submit an Article 7 transparency report for the convention to formally confirm its cluster munition-free status.

Policy

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 30 April 1998 and ratified it on 31 March 2003, becoming a State Party on 1 September 2003. It has not enacted new legislation specifically to implement the Mine Ban Treaty.

São Tomé e Príncipe has not attended any recent meetings of the treaty. It did not attend the Third Review Conference in Maputo in June 2014. On 13 December 2007, São Tomé e Príncipe submitted its initial Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 transparency report, due 24 February 2004, but has not submitted subsequent reports.

São Tomé e Príncipe is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. São Tomé e Príncipe is a signatory state to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Use, production, transfer, and stockpile

São Tomé e Príncipe has never used, produced, exported, or imported antipersonnel mines, including for training purposes.