Electoral Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to São Tomé and Príncipe for the 2026 presidential vote (July 19) and subsequent legislative, local and regional elections (Sept. 27), with a core team already in-country since June 14 and long-term observers joining June 26. Marine Protection: São Tomé and Príncipe has formally designated its first two marine protected areas off the coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—under a plan for eight MPAs, including no-take zones and protections for turtles and seabirds. Diplomatic Expansion: Serbia has approved opening a São Tomé and Príncipe consulate in Belgrade, to be led by an honorary consul. IMF Support: The IMF’s new Africa chief, Zeine Zeidane, says Middle East conflict fallout is hitting sub-Saharan Africa via trade, energy and fertilizer disruptions, and notes the IMF has already approved extra financing for Burkina Faso, The Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe. Energy/Regional Links: Petrobras and Mexico’s Pemex signed a memorandum to cooperate on Gulf of Mexico exploration, with Petrobras also expanding beyond Brazil, including acreage in São Tomé and Príncipe. Reparations Push: African and Caribbean leaders backed a UN-linked reparations plan calling for apologies, debt relief and a global reparations fund, with demands framed around transatlantic slavery’s legacy. Citizenship-by-Investment: A report highlights São Tomé and Príncipe as a new citizenship-by-investment option, citing an entry threshold starting around $90,000.