Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Government and parties of São Tomé and Príncipe expressed concern to Lusa about the growth in violent crime, with the prime minister guaranteeing that different people responsible are being consulted to adopt “urgent measures”.
“Crime is increasing in a frightening way and with very violent contours and this worries us a lot”, said the parliamentary leader of the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP/PSD), Danilo Santos, who introduced in parliament a request for those responsible for justice institutions to be heard, with plans to then request a debate on the sector.
São Tomé and Príncipe recorded eight homicides throughout 2023, but only in the first five months of this year did it record seven homicides, an indicator with which the management of the Judiciary Police stated it was “quite concerned”, stressing, however, that ” five of the alleged perpetrators of these crimes are in pre-trial detention and only two cases are still under investigation.”
The general secretary of the Independent Democratic Action (ADI), Elísio Teixeira, the party that holds the absolute majority in the São Tomé parliament, highlighted that they also follow “with great concern” the increase in crime and aligns themselves with the parliamentary initiative of the MLSTP-PSD.
“We, traditionally, are a country of peaceful people, good-natured people, which is why (…) we are extremely concerned and we are looking at different perspectives so that we can then be sure of what we can do and help in this process”, he stated.
Sociologist and analyst Olívio Diogo considered that “people are no longer tolerant” and “are more violent” because “the frustration rate is much higher compared to last year”. This is because the expectations created are not being met , so “they start to take matters into their own hands”, he added.
A reading rejected by the Prime Minister of São Tomé, who asked not to politicize the issue.
“People are becoming too violent and we are starting to identify the nature of this violence and it has nothing to do with desperation, unemployment, situations that existed. (…) The country has known periods in which life was much more complicated than it is today and we didn’t see that (…). Let’s look at this responsibly so that the solutions are also the best when it comes to identifying the problem”, said Patrice Trovoada, to Lusa.
Many crimes recorded in recent months have involved the use of bladed weapons, namely a knife or machete, which sociologist Olívio Diogo associates with the lack of control over the sale, circulation and use of these weapons in the public square, but not only that: “This it demonstrates that the person has a coldness, a desire to take life, a desire to see the suffering of others until death (…). the level of violence reached an all-time high,” he pointed out.
The Prime Minister said that the Government is “making progress in understanding the problem” and that the second phase will involve “involving more actors, more partners”, “raising awareness in society” to adopt “emergency measures”, in order to put an end to the situation.
“There is no doubt that much of the violence has been linked to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages (…). Today we have seen a series of parties that take place without prior notification to the police, so some disorder ensues without the authority being present”, highlighted Patrice Trovoada.
Asked about the urgent debate intended by the MLSTP-PSD, the prime minister replied: “MLSTP does its work as an opposition, I have nothing against it, I have nothing in favor, I think that a serious, responsible, constructive debate, It is always healthy for the whole society.”
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