Voters in Cape Verde went to the polls on Sunday in a presidential election where President Jose Maria Neves faces his strongest challenger in Joana Rosa, the first woman to run for president since independence in 1975, with the campaign focused on slowing persistent emigration.
The election, held from 8am to 6pm local time, pits Neves of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) against Rosa of the Movement for Democracy party, along with four other candidates. The country is known for its stability in the politically volatile region and is a tourism haven off the coast of Senegal.
Neves, 66, served as prime minister for 15 years before becoming president in 2021. His party won 37 of 72 parliamentary seats in May, allowing him to appoint Francisco Carvalho, then mayor of the capital Praia, as prime minister. Rosa is a former justice minister.
Emigration has long been a problem because of a dearth of jobs. The archipelago has more people living in the diaspora than the 500,000 residing on its islands, most in Portugal and the United States. Nearly 77,000 diaspora Cape Verdeans are registered to vote at embassies abroad.
Neves has promised to organise a youth summit to address emigration if elected to a second term. Rosa called for a government that allows young people "to build their futures here at home and prevent the continued exodus of young Cape Verdeans abroad." But many voters feel distant from the political class over concerns that it does not understand their daily difficulties, Roselma Evora, a professor of political science and gender studies at the University of Cabo Verde, told The Associated Press.
Results are expected within two to three days. Candidates must win more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a run-off on November 29 between the top two candidates.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Cape Verde's stability contrasts with the region, and the election outcome could shape policies on emigration, a central issue for an island nation with more citizens abroad than at home.
- Joana Rosa's candidacy marks a milestone for gender representation in Cape Verde's politics, potentially inspiring broader participation.
- The result will determine whether the president, who holds veto authority and a mediating role, continues to be from the PAICV or shifts to the Movement for Democracy.
Background
Cape Verde is an archipelago off West Africa with a hybrid parliamentary-presidential system. President Jose Maria Neves, from the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), has held the office since 2021 after serving as prime minister for 15 years. The Movement for Democracy party governed for 10 years before losing the May parliamentary election. Emigration has been a persistent challenge due to limited job opportunities, with many Cape Verdeans living in Portugal and the United States.
Key Perspectives
Jose Maria Neves: The incumbent president has promised to organise a youth summit to address emigration if re-elected.
Joana Rosa: The opposition candidate and former justice minister called for a government that allows young people to build their futures at home and prevent continued exodus abroad.
Roselma Evora, professor at the University of Cabo Verde: Many voters feel distant from the political class, concerned that it does not understand their daily difficulties.
What to Watch
- Whether any candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, avoiding a run-off scheduled for November 29.
- Turnout among the 300,000 eligible voters on the islands and the 77,000 registered diaspora voters abroad.
- The response of the winner to emigration, a key driver of campaign promises.