Presidents of Portugal & Cape Verde Discuss Cova da Moura
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves held a high-profile lunch meeting today in the Cova da Moura neighborhood of Amadora. The meeting, which also included the Mayor of Amadora, Vítor Ferreira, focused on the future of the community and upcoming bilateral celebrations.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Rastrillo solidarity fair in Lisbon later that afternoon, Rebelo de Sousa described the meeting as an opportunity to discuss “a series of important projects” involving both the municipality and the Portuguese state. While the President remained tight-lipped about the specific details of these initiatives, he hinted at their long-term significance.
Celebrating 50 Years of Independence
The President indicated that the discussions were partly tied to the upcoming 50th anniversary of Cape Verde’s independence. “President Neves is launching several initiatives and invited me to join some of them,” Rebelo de Sousa said. “We are looking at how to make that possible.” He confirmed plans to visit Cape Verde either late this year or during the official independence celebrations in 2025.
Addressing the Land Crisis in Cova da Moura
Beyond celebratory projects, the Head of State addressed the “underlying problem” plaguing the Cova da Moura neighborhood: a long-standing land ownership dispute. The neighborhood sits on land originally owned by a private family, leading to a valuation stalemate between the owners and the municipality.
“The municipality has a lower valuation, while the family presents a much higher one,” Rebelo de Sousa explained, noting that the impasse makes it difficult for the local government to implement permanent solutions for residents.
Recent Tensions and the Odair Moniz Case
The choice of location was significant, following recent unrest in the region after the death of Odair Moniz, a Cape Verdean national shot by police in October. When asked if the two leaders discussed the fallout from the shooting, Rebelo de Sousa stated that they had already addressed those matters previously, as President Neves has been “closely following” the situation.
Regarding the status of the Inspectorate General of Home Affairs (IGAI) inquiry into the shooting, the President offered a brief response: “Let’s wait and see.”
The lunch was organized after Neves, who is in Portugal for the 10th UN Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, visited the Zambujal neighborhood earlier this week. Touched by that visit, the two presidents decided to meet in Cova da Moura to demonstrate continued engagement with the local community.
Image: Pexels – Tima Miroshnichenko
