Cape Verde
Cape Verde is made up of 10 islands and five islets, all but three of which are mountainous; only 10 percent of the land is arable. The country is poor in natural resources and sees frequent droughts. As a result, it is heavily dependent on food imports, aid and remittances from Cape Verdeans who have left the country. Nonetheless, the country enjoys a per capita income that is higher than that of many other nations in the region. Tourism is growing in importance, with ecological and cultural attractions drawing visitors.
The islands were discovered uninhabited by the Portuguese in the 15th century; as a Portuguese colony, they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves. (Most Cape Verdeans descend from both groups.) Independence was achieved in 1975.
Incumbent leader Pedro Pires won presidential elections in February 2006, gaining 51% of the vote and narrowly defeating his rival, Carlos Veiga. The pair have been Cape Verde's dominant political personalities since independence in 1975. Both men are former prime ministers. Pires, from the ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), led the country from 1975 to 1990, when he lost Cape Verde's first multi-party elections to Veiga's Movement for Democracy. He took office again in March 2001 after beating Carlos Veiga by just 17 votes. Poverty, unemployment and the state of the economy were key issues in the 2006 poll.
Cape Verde has a mixed presidential/parliamentary system of government. Day to day authority for government policy and implementation rests with the Prime Minister, his cabinet and the national assembly. The president of the country is elected directly by the people and serves as chief of state. He shares responsibility for foreign affairs and defense matters, but is required to consult closely with the government on these issues.
The judiciary in Cape Verde generally operates independently and free of undue influence. There is a Supreme Court, headed by a president, which is spearheading the effort to broaden the concept of the rule of law and the proper role of an independent judiciary in a democratic system of government.
There are currently no known threats to expatriate visitors or residents in Cape Verde, which has had a stable democratic system since 1991. Political violence is rare and citizens are peaceful, however, there is increasing concern about the involvement of Cape Verdeans who have been deported from Europe and the United States in violent crimes committed in the capital Praia.
By all indications, corruption is rare. Nevertheless, opposition political parties and businessmen with no connections to the governing party have accused the successive governments of favoritism in the awarding of contracts. In particular, they allege that companies with ties to cabinet ministers including the Prime Minister have been successful in obtaining a high number of government projects and contracts for services.
