Independencia total, ça quá pôvô mêcê: Anti-colonial Activism and Independence in São Tomé and Príncipe

In 1960, a small group of nationalists from São Tomé and Príncipe founded the archipelago’s first organization that demanded independence. As any activity within the islands was impossible, the activists remained abroad from where they pursued a modest anti-colonial struggle. When the Portuguese Revolution of 25 April 1974 created space for the struggle in the islands, Sãotomean students in Portugal were sent back home to wage the fight for total independence. This article traces these endeavours from the years in exile until the turbulent months in 1974 that paved the way for the archipelago’s independence on 12 July 1975.