CPLP 30th Anniversary: Mário Lúcio Sousa on Unity & Future
In a global landscape increasingly defined by fragmentation, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) remains a vital beacon of dialogue. As the organization prepares to mark its 30th anniversary on July 17, former Cape Verdean Minister of Culture Mário Lúcio Sousa argues that the community’s existence is a feat in itself.
“Thirty years is nothing but a comma in the cosmos of history,” Sousa said in an interview with Lusa. “But it is a time for preparation, for getting to know one another, and for projecting ourselves. The most important thing is that the institution is there, finding its path.”
Unity Amidst a Complicated Past
Sousa, a renowned musician and writer, views the CPLP as a remarkable achievement given the shared history of its nine member states. He notes that the community successfully brings together nations still navigating the “recent traces” of colonization, slavery, and domination.
“In this disintegrating world, having a community of Portuguese-speaking countries is beautiful,” Sousa stated, quoting the poet Fernando Pessoa to emphasize that the endeavor is “worth it” because of its spirit. “Managing to have an institution for dialogue and the preservation of common heritage within that [history] is highly commendable.”
Equatorial Guinea: A Catalyst for Change
Addressing the controversy surrounding Equatorial Guinea’s membership, Sousa offered a nuanced perspective. He argues that the country’s presence is not a threat but an opportunity for democratic influence.
“It wasn’t the regime that joined; it was the country,” Sousa observed. “Many people in that country do not want that regime, and we often fail to distinguish between the two.” He views the CPLP as a platform for applying pressure regarding human rights and democratic standards.
To illustrate his point, Sousa recalled the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. When criticized for bringing his Portuguese wife to Guinea-Conakry while fighting Portuguese rule, Cabral famously replied that he was fighting a fascist regime, not the Portuguese people. Sousa believes the CPLP should adopt a similar stance: “Everyone is welcome, as long as they do not bring their regimes into the institution.”
The Power of Creolization
As the author of the ‘Manifesto to Creolization,’ Sousa highlights the deep linguistic ties that bind these nations beyond the standard Portuguese language. He pointed out that Equatorial Guinea’s Annobón island speaks a Portuguese-based Creole, further justifying its place in a community built on shared linguistic roots.
The CPLP is currently composed of nine member states across four continents: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. For Sousa, the milestone anniversary is a time to celebrate “the process and the intention” of a community that continues to build bridges where history once built walls.
Image: Pexels – Leonid Altman
