Loisito Sousa Challenges Cape Verde Presidential Race
As Cape Verde prepares to head to the polls on November 15, high school teacher Loisito Sousa is positioning himself as the candidate of the people, promising to use the presidency to champion those left behind by the political establishment.
Standing at a viewpoint overlooking some of Praia’s most impoverished neighborhoods—where many residents still live without running water, electricity, or sanitation—the 40-year-old independent candidate told Lusa that his mission is simple: to give visibility to the invisible.
The Power of Moral Influence
“The President does not govern, but he can give a voice to those who have no voice,” Sousa said. “Anyone who thinks a President has no power is mistaken. He has the moral authority of influence. It is the head of state’s responsibility to show the ‘real life’ horizon to those leading the country.”
A native of Tarrafal, Sousa has spent nearly two decades teaching history and social sciences. He frames his candidacy as a rejection of “party machines,” arguing that the presidency must remain an independent office rooted in society rather than political bureaucracies.
“I am a real-life story of persistence and resistance,” Sousa said. “I want to prove to Cape Verdeans that it is possible to dream big, even when you come from neighborhoods facing extreme hardships.”
A Shift in Foreign Policy
Beyond domestic concerns, Sousa is calling for a “paradigm shift” in how the archipelago interacts with the global community. He voiced a strong critique of modern international dynamics, calling for a rejection of “forms of neocolonialism that suffocate us.”
“Democracy must reach people on their plates and in their housing,” he asserted, adding that Cape Verde should move from being a “spectator” to a “leading actor” on the world stage. Regarding Portugal, Sousa described the relationship as a vital “bond of friendship” that must be nurtured to better connect the islands with the vast Cape Verdean diaspora.
The Electoral Field
Sousa faces a crowded field of six candidates in Sunday’s election. The lineup includes:
- José Maria Neves: The incumbent President, seeking a second term with the support of the ruling PAICV.
- Joana Rosa: A former minister backed by the opposition MpD.
- Antero Tavares: A judge.
- Casimiro Pina: A jurist.
- Gilson Alves: A medical doctor.
- Loisito Sousa: Independent educator.
History favors the incumbent; since the introduction of universal suffrage in Cape Verde, every president who has sought a second term has been successfully re-elected. In 2021, Neves secured his first-round victory with 51.8% of the vote.
Despite the uphill battle against established political giants, Sousa remains undeterred. “The important thing is to dream,” he concluded. “Dream big, work hard, and we can get there.”
Image: Pexels – Petr Ganaj
