Cape Verde is preparing for a pivotal moment in its political history as citizens head to the polls on Sunday. The upcoming election offers the possibility of the African island nation appointing its first female president. Justice Minister Joana Rosa is challenging incumbent Jose Maria Neves, who is currently serving as the country's fifth leader since independence from Portugal in 1975.
A total of six candidates are competing in this race. If no single candidate secures more than half of the total votes, a runoff election is scheduled for November 29 to determine the final winner. This process ensures that the eventual leader has a clear mandate from the electorate.
Joana Rosa, who is backed by the opposition Movement for Democracy, is the first woman to run for the presidency since the nation gained independence. While women have previously held senior cabinet positions in Cape Verde, the country has never had a female prime minister or president, making this candidacy a significant milestone.
The political structure of Cape Verde places most executive authority in the hands of the prime minister, who directs government policy within the parliamentary system. The role of the president is largely symbolic, although the directly elected head of state retains the power to veto legislation. This division of powers shapes the strategic importance of the race.
The Atlantic island nation, located off the coast of West Africa and home to approximately half a million people, is known for its record of peaceful transfers of power and competitive elections. These traits are relatively rare in the broader region. The electorate includes a significant diaspora, with nearly 77,000 Cape Verdeans registered to vote from abroad, representing almost a fifth of the total voting population.
Roselma Evora, a professor of political science and gender studies at the University of Cabo Verde, noted that many voters feel a distance from their leaders. She explained that there is a strong desire for a president who understands the daily difficulties faced by the population. Limited economic prospects have also driven many young people to seek opportunities overseas, influencing the political mood.
Incumbent Jose Maria Neves, who won the previous election in 2021 with about 52 percent of the vote, has pledged to build cross-party support. His campaign promises focus on improving housing, healthcare, and education, as well as creating jobs and raising wages. Evora pointed out that Neves benefits from greater visibility, particularly among overseas voters, due to his status as the sitting president.
Rosa's candidacy is seen as a challenge to traditional expectations of women's roles in a society that remains very patriarchal, according to Evora. Rosa has centered her campaign on maintaining a balance of power. She argues that the country needs a counterweight to the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde, known as PAICV, which backs Neves and currently controls the government and most municipalities.
The PAICV party recently won a parliamentary majority in May, ending a decade of government led by the Movement for Democracy. A victory for Rosa would place the presidency and the government in rival political camps again. Rosario Luz, a writer based in Cape Verde, observed that party loyalties often matter more to voters than the gender of the candidate.
Luz emphasized that while there are many women in politics, specific policies for women are often lacking. She highlighted that women carry a significant portion of the financial responsibility for their households in Cape Verde, yet government policies have failed to adequately address this burden. The election results will provide insight into whether the electorate prioritizes these social issues or traditional party alignment.
