Cape Verde Honors Fogo Tragedy Victims on Diplomacy Day
Cape Verde will pause in somber reflection this Wednesday as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its global diplomatic missions observe a minute of silence for the victims of the catastrophic vehicle crash on Fogo Island. The tribute marks a shift in the tone of this year’s Cape Verdean Diplomacy Day, transforming the annual celebration into a solemn act of national mourning.
A Nation in Mourning
The tragedy occurred on September 5, when a bus carrying students and tourists plunged approximately 50 meters off a road on Fogo Island. The horrific accident claimed 25 lives, sending shockwaves across the archipelago and its diaspora.
“The government believes that this year’s Cape Verdean Diplomacy Day ceremony takes on an exceptional and deeply symbolic character due to the gravity and impact of the accident,” the government stated in an official release.
Honoring the Fallen
The minute of silence is scheduled for 12:00 PM local time (2:00 PM in Lisbon). According to the Ministry, the gesture is intended to “express active solidarity with the island of Fogo and the bereaved families,” while reaffirming the core values of “humanism, cohesion, and dignity” that define the nation’s foreign policy.
The central ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital city of Praia, will feature a musical tribute and remarks from the dean of the diplomatic corps. Foreign Minister Manuel Amante da Rosa is also expected to deliver a keynote speech addressing the tragedy and the nation’s resilience.
The Significance of Diplomacy Day
Established in 2022, Cape Verdean Diplomacy Day is celebrated annually on September 16 to honor the country’s international relations and its representatives abroad. However, the scale of the September 5 accident—one of the deadliest in the island’s history—has refocused this year’s agenda on domestic solidarity and shared grief.
Image: Pexels – Bibi Kiekens
