Daniel Daio Explained

Daniel Daio
Office:3rd Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe
President:Manuel Pinto da Costa
Miguel Trovoada
Term Start:7 February 1991
Term End:16 May 1992
Predecessor:Celestino Rocha da Costa
Successor2:Norberto Costa Alegre
Birth Date:1947
Birth Place:Overseas Province of São Tomé and Príncipe, Portugal
Party:Democratic Convergence Party – Reflection Group

Daniel Lima dos Santos Daio (born 1947)[1] is a former Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. The first person freely elected to the position,[2] he held the post from 7 February 1991 to 16 May 1992. He is a member of the Democratic Convergence Party – Reflection Group.

Biography

When the archipelago became independent in 1975, he was member of the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP) at the time, a one-party state. He had earlier served as Minister of Defence and National Security, but was dismissed in 1982 by President Manuel Pinto da Costa, who appointed himself to the vacancy.[3] When the nation became a multi-party state in 1990, he was secretary general of the new party, the Democratic Convergence Party-Reflection Group (PCD-GR) and Leonel Mário d'Alva returned from exile and became president.

He won the first multi-party legislative elections in 1991 with 54.4% and got 33 seats in parliament and later became Prime Minister on 7 February. The nation's economy was poor, he led reforms recommended by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the World Bank. Prices of goods and necessities were rising, the devaluation of the dobra by 40% led to massive protests and demands for resignation. On 16 May 1992, he left office and his post was succeeded by Norberto Costa Alegre.

In February 1993, he resigned as secretary general of his party PCD-GR.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: São Tomé and Príncipe. World Statesman. 4 March 2015.
  2. News: GOVERNMENT TAKES OFFICE IN SAO TOME. February 8, 1991. The Roanoke Times. Landmark Media Enterprises. 25 January 2010.
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=0O86sZdHfHUC&q=Daniel+Daio&pg=PA353 A Political Chronology of Africa