Evaristo Carvalho defeats incumbent Manuel Pinto da Costa to become president of Sao Tome and Principe

People in the small African islands nation of Sao Tome and Principe voted Sunday for a new president, with the incumbent facing 4 challengers.

The citizens of the twin archipelagos located 300 kilometers (190 miles) off the coast of Gabon were eligible to take part in the election. Independent Democratic Action candidate (ADI) candidate, Evaristo Carvalho has defeated incumbent Manuel Pinto da Costa.

Carvalho garnered just over 50 percent of the vote, while outgoing president Pinto da Costa garnered 24.8 percent of the vote.

Pinto da Costa served as the country’s first president after independence from Portugal in 1975. He was elected in 2011 by a run-off with 52 percent of the vote. This election result marks the end of his political career.

The presidential election was monitored by African Union observers led by former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza.

Carvalho’s priorities will be to continue to strengthen the country’s economy.