List of presidents of Cape Verde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of theRepublic of Cabo Verde |
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![]() National emblem of Cape Verde
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Executive branch of the Government of Cape Verde | |
Residence | Presidential Palace, Praia |
Term length | Five years,
renewable once
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Constituting instrument | Constitution of Cape Verde (1980) |
Inaugural holder | Aristides Pereira |
Formation | 8 July 1975 |
Cape Verde is an island country in the Atlantic Ocean, near West Africa. This article tells you about the presidents of Cape Verde. The president is the head of the country.
The job of president started in 1975 when Cape Verde became independent. Aristides Pereira was the very first president. He began his term on July 8, 1975. The current president is José Maria Neves, who took office on November 9, 2021.
Contents
How Long Can a President Serve?
Understanding Term Limits
In Cape Verde, a president can only serve for a certain amount of time. This is called a "term limit." As of 2021, the Constitution of Cape Verde says a president can serve for two terms. Each term lasts five years.
The first president to follow these term limits was António Mascarenhas Monteiro in 2001. This rule helps make sure different people get a chance to lead the country.
Meet the Presidents of Cape Verde
Leaders Who Shaped the Nation
Here is a list of all the people who have been president of Cape Verde since 1975. You will see their names, when they were elected, and how long they served.
- Political parties
A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how the country should be run. African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) Movement for Democracy (MpD)
No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Elected | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
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Started | Ended | Total Time | |||||
1 | ![]() |
Aristides Pereira (1923–2011) |
1975 1981 1986 |
8 July 1975 | 22 March 1991 | 15 years, 257 days | PAIGC (until 1981) |
PAICV (from 1981) |
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2 | ![]() |
António Mascarenhas Monteiro (1944–2016) |
1991 1996 |
22 March 1991 | 22 March 2001 | 10 years | MpD |
3 | ![]() |
Pedro Pires (born 1934) |
2001 2006 |
22 March 2001 | 9 September 2011 | 10 years, 171 days | PAICV |
4 | ![]() |
Jorge Carlos Fonseca (born 1950) |
2011 2016 |
9 September 2011 | 9 November 2021 | 10 years, 61 days | MpD |
5 | ![]() |
José Maria Neves (born 1960) |
2021 | 9 November 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 259 days | PAICV |
Presidential Timeline
A Visual History of Leadership
This timeline shows when each president served. You can see how long each person was in office and which political party they belonged to.

The Most Recent Election
How the Current President Was Chosen
The most recent election for president in Cape Verde happened in 2021. This is how José Maria Neves became the current president. People voted for their favorite candidate.
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
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José Maria Neves | African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde | 95,803 | 51.73 | |
Carlos Veiga | Movement for Democracy | 78,474 | 42.37 | |
Casimiro de Pina | Independent | 3,343 | 1.81 | |
Fernando Rocha Delgado | Independent | 2,516 | 1.36 | |
Helio Sanches | Independent | 2,119 | 1.14 | |
Gilson Alves | Independent | 1,558 | 0.84 | |
Joaquim Monteiro | Independent | 1,378 | 0.74 | |
Total | 185,191 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 185,191 | 96.90 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 5,928 | 3.10 | ||
Total votes | 191,119 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 398,865 | 47.92 | ||
Source: CNE |
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Cabo Verde para niños
- Politics of Cape Verde
- List of prime ministers of Cape Verde
- List of colonial governors of Cape Verde