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 (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service (2012)
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 - 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)