Joana Rosa to Run for Cape Verde’s First Female President
Cape Verde’s main opposition party, the Movement for Democracy (MpD), has officially endorsed former Justice Minister Joana Rosa for the upcoming presidential election. The decision, announced Thursday, follows a landslide vote by the party’s National Directorate, where 85% of members backed her candidacy for the November 15 polls.
A Bid for History
Joana Rosa, 61, is aiming to become the first female president in the history of the archipelago nation. A veteran of Cape Verdean politics, Rosa served as the Minister of Justice for five years under the MpD government before confirming her presidential ambitions in late June. Her political career also includes 20 years as a deputy in the National Assembly and two terms as president of the Municipal Assembly of Maio.
In a statement, the MpD noted that the decision came after “extensive discussion and analysis” of the current political landscape and the various candidates seeking the party’s backing. Rosa has positioned herself as a stabilizing force, advocating for a presidency that serves a “moderating and conciliatory role” while maintaining a strict balance between the different branches of government.
The Road to November 15
The race to the Presidential Palace is now intensifying. According to the National Elections Commission, all candidates must submit their official filings to the Constitutional Court by September 16—exactly 60 days before the vote.
The winner will succeed the incumbent, President José Maria Neves, who assumed office in November 2021. Neves secured his five-year term in a decisive first-round victory, capturing 51.7% of the vote against the MpD-backed Carlos Veiga, who received 42.4%. With Rosa now securing the MpD’s machinery, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle for the nation’s highest office.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
