Ilza Amado Vaz

Ilza Maria dos Santos Amado Vaz is a São Toméan politician and jurist who served as the prime minister of São Tomé and Príncipe from 9 to 12 January 2025. Previously the minister of justice, she resigned from the post of prime minister after only three days in the position.

Biography From São Tomé and Príncipe, Amado Vaz attended the Toulouse Capitole University in France, where she graduated with a law degree. She became a lawyer, jurist, and legal consultant, and served as the Director of Customs back in São Tomé from 1999 to 2016. She was also a professor at the Universidade Lusíada in São Tomé.

Amado Vaz was also involved in politics, being a member of the party Independent Democratic Action (ADI). In 2014, she was appointed Minister of Justice in the government of Patrice Trovoada. which she was serving in by 2024. On 9 January, Vila Nova selected Amado Vaz to be the next prime minister, after rejecting a prior candidate. However, just three days later, on 12 January, she announced her resignation from the office. She resigned due to her proposed cabinet being prematurely released to the public, stating that her remaining in the position "would not contribute to the success of public policies and the harmonious and peaceful development of São Tomé and Príncipe."