Jorge Carlos Fonseca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jorge Carlos Fonseca
GCNSC
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Fonseca in 2019
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| 4th President of Cape Verde | |
| In office 9 September 2011 – 9 November 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | José Maria Neves Ulisses Correia e Silva |
| Preceded by | Pedro Pires |
| Succeeded by | José Maria Neves |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca
20 October 1950 Mindelo, Portuguese Cape Verde (now Cape Verde) |
| Political party | Movement for Democracy |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic Convergence Party |
| Spouse |
Lígia Fonseca
(m. 1989) |
| Alma mater | University of Lisbon (LLB, MLS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Official website: http://www.presidencia.cv/ |
Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca (born October 20, 1950) is a politician, lawyer, and university professor from the island nation of Cape Verde. He served as the fourth President of Cape Verde from 2011 to 2021.
As president, he was the head of the country, similar to the president of the United States. He was supported by a political party called the Movement for Democracy (MpD). He won the presidential election in 2011. He was very popular and was re-elected in 2016 with 74% of the vote.
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Early Life and Education
Jorge Fonseca was born in the city of Mindelo, Cape Verde. At the time, Cape Verde was a territory of Portugal. He went to elementary and high school in the cities of Praia and Mindelo.
For his college education, he moved to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. He studied at the University of Lisbon and earned a degree in Law. He also received a master's degree in Legal Sciences.
In 1989, he married Lígia Fonseca, who became the First Lady of Cape Verde when he was elected president.
Career in Politics and Law
Before becoming president, Fonseca had a long career in both government and education.
Government Work
From 1975 to 1977, Fonseca was in charge of emigration, helping people from Cape Verde who were moving to other countries. From 1977 to 1979, he was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which handles Cape Verde's relationships with other nations.
In the early 1990s, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He tried to become president in the 2001 election but was not successful that time.
Becoming President
In 2011, Fonseca ran for president again, with the support of the MpD party. In the first round of voting, he got the most votes but not enough to win outright. He then won in the second round against Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, the candidate from the rival African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) party.
He officially became president on September 9, 2011. He was the fourth person to hold the job since Cape Verde became an independent country in 1975.
Teaching and Writing
Fonseca was also a respected teacher and writer. He taught law at the University of Lisbon from 1982 to 1990. He also taught at other schools in Lisbon and Macau.
He helped start the Institute for Law and Social Sciences in Cape Verde. Fonseca has written several books and more than fifty articles about law. He has also published two books of poetry.
Honours and Awards
Fonseca has received many awards for his work and service to his country. He is recognized as one of the "Freedom Fighters of the Country" for his role in Cape Verde's history. He has also been given high honours from other countries.
Honours from Other Countries
Luxembourg Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (2015)
Netherlands Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (2018)
Portugal Grand Collar of the Order of Camões (2021)- Portugal Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty (2017)
- Portugal Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (2012)
See also
In Spanish: Jorge Carlos Fonseca para niños
