France's Economy, Finances and Industry Minister Roland Lescure delivers remarks to journalists upon arrival to attend a debate at the "Laboratoire de la Republique" (Republic's Laboratory) summer camp, in Sens, southeast of Paris, on August 29, 2026. (Photo by ROMEO BOETZLE / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Egbert Bloemsma, general manager of HBD's hotels, poses for a photograph at Sundy Praia, near Santo Antonio in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 4, 2026. The HBD Group comprises five hotels, all located the island of Principe. The old Sundy manor house has already been converted into a five-star hotel, and once the renovation work is complete, the former workers' quarters will become additional rooms. At present, the whole country of Sao Tome and Principe has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the country enjoys special protection from the organisation due to its unique natural environment. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - A general view of the Belo Monte hotel near Santo Antonio, in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 5, 2026. The Belo Monte Hotel is situated on the site of the former Roca Belo Monte. Once a subsidiary of Bela Vista, this 'roca-terreiro' is laid out around a central courtyard and is built entirely from laterite blocks. It fell into disuse and disrepair following the country's independence in 1975. At present, the whole country of Sao Tome and Principe has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the country enjoys special protection from the organisation due to its unique natural environment. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - A general view of the pool area at Belo Monte hotel near Santo Antonio, in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 5, 2026. The Belo Monte Hotel is situated on the site of the former Roca Belo Monte. Once a subsidiary of Bela Vista, this 'roca-terreiro' is laid out around a central courtyard and is built entirely from laterite blocks. It fell into disuse and disrepair following the country's independence in 1975. At present, the whole country of Sao Tome and Principe has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the country enjoys special protection from the organisation due to its unique natural environment. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - A general view of the Belo Monte hotel near Santo Antonio, in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 5, 2026. The Belo Monte Hotel is situated on the site of the former Roca Belo Monte. Once a subsidiary of Bela Vista, this 'roca-terreiro' is laid out around a central courtyard and is built entirely from laterite blocks. It fell into disuse and disrepair following the country's independence in 1975. At present, the whole country of Sao Tome and Principe has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the country enjoys special protection from the organisation due to its unique natural environment. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Conceicao Moreno, 46, a member of parliament for the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP-PSD party), poses for a portrait walks between abandoned buildings in Sanzalas in Roca Sundy near Santo Antonio, in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 5, 2026. Sundy is one of six "roças" that were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List at the end of July, in recognition of their architecture and their fundamental importance in the country's history. But most of the "roças" in São Tomé and Príncipe have been abandoned. They pose a major preservation challenge for this small island state in Central Africa, located in the Gulf of Guinea, and have attracted niche interest from private investors who see tourism or hotel potential in these history-laden structures. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Hirondina Mendes poses for a photograph in her house in Monte Alegre near Santo Antonio, in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 2, 2026. Sanzalas the barracks or residential quarters built to house the forced laborers and workers Situated in the northwestern part of Principe Island, Monte Alegre (also known as Montalegre) is a historic former plantation (roca) and natural landmark featuring a scenic hiking trail and waterfall located in the northwest of Principe Island. At present, the whole country of Sao Tome and Principe has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the country enjoys special protection from the organisation due to its unique natural environment. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Joachim Gom Tavarch, 40,(R) a resident of Sundy village, chats with neighbours and family members in front of his house in Sundy village, near Santo Antonio, in Principe Island in Sao Tome and Principe, on August 6, 2026. According to Joachim Tavarch, leaving this place, this house, is like abandoning his loved ones this land has always belonged to his family, and they built this house with our own hands from scratch, stone by stone. A new neighbourhood with over 150 houses occupied by members of various communities, mainly from Roca Sundy, a project largely funded by the HBD Group. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)