Jorge Carlos Fonseca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jorge Carlos Fonseca
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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 20 October 1950) is a politician, lawyer, and university professor from Cape Verde. He was the President of Cape Verde from 2011 to 2021. Before becoming president, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 1993. He was supported by the Movement for Democracy (MpD) party. He won the presidential election in 2011 and was re-elected in the 2016 election with a large majority of votes.
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Early Life and Education
Jorge Fonseca was born in Mindelo, Cape Verde. He grew up there and in Praia, where he finished his primary and secondary schooling. Later, he moved to Lisbon, Portugal, for his higher education. He studied at the University of Lisbon, where he earned a degree in Law and a Master's degree in Legal Sciences. He married Lígia Arcângela Lubrino Dias Fonseca on 26 March 1989. She later became the First Lady of Cape Verde.
Political Career and Public Service
Jorge Fonseca has held several important roles in the government of Cape Verde. From 1975 to 1977, he was the Director General of Emigration. This role involved managing how people moved in and out of the country. After that, from 1977 to 1979, he worked as the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also had a career in teaching. He was a teaching assistant at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Law from 1982 to 1990. He also taught Criminal Law and was a professor at the University of Asia Oriental in Macau.
In 1991, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held this position until 1993. In 2001, he ran for president but was not successful. However, in August 2011, he ran again, this time with the support of the Movement for Democracy (MpD) party. He won the election in the second round of voting. On 9 September 2011, he officially became the fourth President of Cape Verde since the country gained its independence in 1975.
Other Contributions
Beyond his political and academic roles, Jorge Fonseca has been involved in many other activities. He helped start and lead the “Direito e Justiça” Foundation, which focuses on law and justice. He also founded and directed the magazine “Direito e Cidadania” (Law and Citizenship). He has written several books and many articles on legal topics. He has also published two books of poetry.
He has received several awards from the State of Cape Verde for his contributions to the country. He is also recognized as a "Freedom Fighter" for his role in Cape Verde's history.
Awards and Recognition
Jorge Carlos Fonseca has received many honors from different countries. These awards recognize his important work and leadership. Some of these include:
- From Luxembourg: Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (2015)
- From the Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (2018)
- From Portugal: Grand Collar of the Order of Camões (2021), Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty (2017), and Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (2012).
See also
In Spanish: Jorge Carlos Fonseca para niños
