Carlos da Graça ceased to be a member and remained in Gabon, before returning to São Tomé and becoming foreign minister.
The major part of the FRNSTP moved to Lisbon, Portugal, formed a coalition with the Independent Democratic Union of São Tomé and Príncipe (UDISTP), and agreed to seek political changes by non-violent means.
A small faction of the FRNSTP, led by Monso dos Santos, refused to give up the idea of armed struggle as a means of overthrowing the São Tomé government and moved to Cameroon, taking the name of National Resistance Front of São Tomé and Príncipe-Renewal (FRNSTP-R).
A failed invasion to overthrow the government in 1988 led to the capture and sentencing of the organisation's membership.
In 1990, members of the FRNSTP-R were pardoned and founded the Christian Democratic Front.