Cape Verde Rivals Celebrate Hakeem Jeffries’ U.S. Victory
Cape Verdean presidential candidates are celebrating a historic milestone in the United States, as Democrat Hakeem Jeffries—a descendant of Cape Verdean immigrants—is poised to become the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives following the Democratic party’s midterm election victories.
A ‘Symbol of Pride’ for the Global Nation
Incumbent President José Maria Neves, who is currently campaigning for a second term in the upcoming November 15 elections, took to social media to congratulate Jeffries. Neves highlighted the deep ties between the congressman and his ancestral home, noting that Jeffries attended Neves’ presidential inauguration in 2021.
“Congratulations and success, Hakeem Jeffries. We are rooting for you,” Neves wrote on Facebook. He described Jeffries as “a symbol of pride and distinction for the diaspora spread across the world.”
Neves emphasized that the future of Cape Verde depends on its international reach. “This Global Nation will continue to be great if we know how to mobilize all the capacities and talents of the diaspora and the islands in our work to build prosperity, inclusion, and social justice,” he added.
Breaking Barriers in Washington
Joana Rosa, the first woman to run for the Cape Verdean presidency, also voiced her admiration for the historic achievement. She expressed immense pride in seeing a descendant of the archipelago reach such a high echelon of American political power.
“It is a moment of great significance for Cape Verde,” Rosa stated. “The diaspora is a force. It represents talent, knowledge, and experience. Cape Verde does not end at our islands; it exists wherever Cape Verdeans and their descendants live, all over the world.”
A Historic First for the U.S. House
Projections from the recent U.S. midterm elections indicate that Democrats have secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. With this victory, Jeffries is set to make history on two fronts: he will be the first African American Speaker of the House and the first Lusophone of African descent to hold one of the most powerful positions in the United States government.
The rise of Jeffries is being viewed in Praia not just as an American political shift, but as a testament to the influence and success of the Cape Verdean diaspora, which remains a vital pillar of the nation’s identity and global standing.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
