Cape Verde PM Denounces Indictment as ‘Attempted Coup’
Cape Verdean Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho has struck back at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, labeling a recent 26-count indictment against him as nothing less than an “attempted coup d’état.”
Allegations from the Past
The charges, which were released on Tuesday, stem from Carvalho’s previous tenure as the President of the Praia City Council. While the specific details of the 26 alleged crimes have not been fully disclosed, the Public Prosecutor’s Office indicates they involve actions taken during his leadership of the nation’s capital.
A Political Battleground
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Carvalho dismissed the legal proceedings as a politically motivated attack rather than a legitimate judicial inquiry. He framed the indictment as a strategic move by his rivals to destabilize the current administration.
“What we are seeing is an attempted coup d’état disguised as opposition,” Carvalho told reporters. “But, while some seek to create crises, this Government will continue to do what it was elected to do, which is to govern.”
Defiance Amidst Legal Pressure
Despite the severity of the charges, the Prime Minister signaled his intention to remain in office and continue his legislative agenda. The rhetoric marks a significant escalation in tensions between the government and the judiciary, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and political showdown in the West African archipelago.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
