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 | 5 years, renewable once |
Inaugural holder | Aristides Pereira |
Formation | 8 July 1975 |
This article shares information about the presidents of Cape Verde. Cape Verde is an island country located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa. The role of president was created in 1975 when the country became independent. Aristides Pereira was the very first president, starting his term on July 8, 1975. The current president is José Maria Neves, who took office on November 9, 2021.
Contents
Presidential Term Limits
How Long Can a President Serve?
In Cape Verde, the president can serve for a specific amount of time. This is called a "term." As of 2021, the Constitution of Cape Verde says that a president can only serve two terms. This rule helps make sure that power is shared and new leaders get a chance to govern. The first president to follow this two-term limit was António Mascarenhas Monteiro in 2001.
Meet the Presidents of Cape Verde
Leaders Who Shaped the Nation
Here is a list of all the people who have served as president of Cape Verde since 1975. You will see their names, when they were elected, and how long they served. You can also see which political party they belonged to.
- Political parties
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 (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | ||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
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, 224 days | PAICV |
Presidential Timeline
Visualizing Terms in Office
This timeline shows when each president served. It helps you see how long each person was in office and how the leadership changed over the years.

Latest Presidential Election
Choosing the New President
The most recent election for president happened in 2021. In this election, José Maria Neves won and became the fifth president of Cape Verde. He ran as a candidate for the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde.
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
- Politics of Cape Verde
- List of prime ministers of Cape Verde
- List of colonial governors of Cape Verde