Cape Verde President to Announce Re-election Decision
Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves is keeping the nation in suspense, announcing on Tuesday that he will delay the official declaration regarding his re-election bid until next week.
Speaking at a press conference in Praia, Neves noted that he is currently evaluating the “balance” of his first term, which began in 2021. “Regarding a potential candidacy, at the right time I will declare whether or not I will be a candidate for President of the Republic,” he stated. “Next week I will speak on this issue.”
The timing is tight; the legal deadline for submitting presidential candidacies is September 16, exactly 60 days before the November 15 election.
A ‘Better Referee’ for the Nation
Reflecting on his five years in office, Neves, who previously served three terms as Prime Minister under the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), described the presidency as his most challenging role yet. Unlike a head of government, he noted, a president “does not distribute jobs, does not inaugurate roads, and does not provide housing.”
Instead, Neves defined the role as a “referee and moderator” of the political system. “I feel I am a much better moderator today, and much better prepared to exercise the functions of President,” he said, adding that he sees himself as a “general ombudsman” tasked with caring for the “spirit and soul of the nation.”
Stability in an Unstable World
Neves highlighted his efforts to maintain institutional and political stability during a period of global democratic decline. He credited his administration with fostering dialogue across the government, municipalities, and the international diaspora to solve problems through “positive influence.”
“In these five years, we managed to ensure institutional and political stability,” Neves said, emphasizing that this was particularly significant at a time “when democracy is under attack, and there are crises and ruptures in the international order.”
The President also pointed to his work with international bodies like UNESCO and the African Union as proof of his commitment to the country’s growth. He described Cape Verde as a “transnational state,” asserting that the President serves as the vital unifying bond for the archipelago’s global community.
Voters and political analysts now look to next week for a definitive answer on whether Neves will seek a second five-year term to continue his vision for “inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth.”
Image: Pexels – Antonio Prado
