Marine Protection Expansion: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off the coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—setting up no-take zones and tighter rules for industrial fishing as the country moves toward a planned network of eight MPAs. Diplomatic Moves: Serbia has consented to the opening of a São Tomé and Príncipe consulate in Belgrade, to be led by an honorary consul, via the Serbian foreign ministry and official gazette process. EU Election Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to monitor São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2026 elections, with a core team arriving mid-June and long-term observers joining later, covering presidential and subsequent legislative/local/regional polls. IMF Support for the Islands: IMF Africa chief Zeine Zeidane says the Middle East conflict is still disrupting energy and fertilizer supplies, but notes the IMF has already approved augmented financing for São Tomé and Príncipe and other countries. Regional Reparations Push: African and Caribbean leaders, including São Tomé and Príncipe, backed a 19-point reparations plan after a conference in Ghana, calling for apologies, debt relief, a global reparations fund, and restitution of cultural property. Health & Governance Spotlight: The Merck Foundation’s Africa-Asia Luminary brought together first ladies and policymakers to discuss health and patient-care priorities across participating countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe.