GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

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Page last updated on February 5, 2013

Military branches:
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP); also called "Navy"), Presidential Guard (2011)

Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 39,182
[see also: Manpower available for military service - male country ranks ]
females age 16-49: 39,845 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 27,310
[see also: Manpower fit for military service - male country ranks ]
females age 16-49: 29,279 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,076
[see also: Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually - male country ranks ]
female: 2,003 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 147
[see also: Military expenditures country ranks ]

Military - note:
Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)

NOTE: The information regarding Sao Tome and Principe on this page is re-published from the 2013 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Sao Tome and Principe Military 2013 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Sao Tome and Principe Military 2013 should be addressed to the CIA.