Cape Verde Mandates Registration for State-Owned Drones
Cape Verde has officially moved to close a “regulatory vacuum” surrounding the use of state-owned drones. Under a new decree published Sunday in the Official Gazette, all unmanned aircraft operated by government agencies must now undergo mandatory registration and receive prior authorization from the country’s Military Aeronautical Authority (AAM).
Closing the Regulatory Gap
The new regulation addresses the “exponential growth” of drone usage across military and police sectors, which until now had been operating without a formal legal framework. The decree establishes strict procedures for the registration of owners, operators, pilots, and the aircraft themselves.
The rules apply to a broad range of state entities, including the Armed Forces, customs and police services, prison administrations, and civil protection agencies. Furthermore, the Minister of Defense reserves the right to grant “State aircraft” status to other unmanned vehicles. Foreign state drones operating within Cape Verde’s sovereign space or national jurisdiction are also subject to these regulations and must obtain prior licensing from the AAM.
Strict Operational Limits
To ensure public safety, the AAM has imposed specific operational boundaries for state drones:
- Altitude and Range: Flights are generally restricted to a maximum height of 120 meters and must remain within the pilot’s line of sight. Any operations exceeding these limits require special authorization.
- Public Safety: Drones are prohibited from flying over individuals not involved in the operation and must maintain a minimum horizontal buffer of 30 meters from persons on the ground.
- Sensitive Zones: Flying over crowds or disaster zones where rescue operations are underway is strictly forbidden.
Restricted Airspace and Oversight
The regulation identifies several “no-fly zones” where operations are prohibited without express permission. These include sovereign government buildings, embassies, consular facilities, and military, police, or prison installations.
To enforce these rules, the Military Aeronautical Authority has been granted wide-reaching oversight powers. This includes the right to require electronic identification for drones and the authority to inspect facilities, documentation, and operational data. The AAM will also implement a comprehensive operational risk assessment and management system to track and mitigate potential hazards in the sky.
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