On July 5, 2025, marks a historic moment for the Republic of Cape Verde: the fiftieth anniversary of its independence. As Honorary Consul of Cape Verde in Morocco, I wish, on this solemn occasion, to extend my warmest congratulations to the Cape Verdean people, as well as to all its past and present leaders, for this half-century of independence marked by progress, peace, and institutional maturity.
Since 1975, Cape Verde has overcome the challenges related to its island geography, the scarcity of its natural resources, and climate instability, to build a modern, resilient, and forward-looking state. Thanks to wise strategic choices and rigorous governance, the country has made remarkable advances in several areas, including education, health, connectivity, and infrastructure. The peaceful political alternation, consolidated over the years, now makes Cape Verde an example of stable democracy in Africa.
Its ranking within international institutions reflects this progress. Cape Verde is now recognized as a middle-income country, a status it owes to the performance of its public policies, its macroeconomic stability, and its ability to mobilize its partners.
This journey would not have been possible without the exceptional commitment of the Cape Verdean diaspora, present worldwide, particularly in Portugal, the United States, France, Luxembourg, and several African countries. This diaspora continues to play a driving role in the country’s development, both through remittances and support for social, cultural, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Cape Verde have significantly intensified in recent years, in a spirit of African brotherhood, active solidarity, and South-South cooperation. Cape Verde has demonstrated its commitment alongside Morocco through its full membership in the Atlantic Initiative launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aiming to make the African Atlantic space a pole of peace, stability, and shared development.
Diplomatically, these ties have been strengthened by the opening of a Cape Verdean embassy in Rabat and a consulate general in Dakhla, illustrating the depth of relations between the two countries. Morocco, in turn, has enhanced its presence by opening a diplomatic mission in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. Several bilateral cooperation agreements have been signed in strategic sectors such as air transport, fisheries, tourism, energy, culture, as well as the granting of scholarships to Cape Verdean students in Moroccan higher education institutions. The reciprocal abolition of visas between the two countries symbolizes this shared desire to bring people closer together and strengthen human and economic exchanges.
As Honorary Consul, I have proudly witnessed the growing influence of Cape Verde in bilateral and multilateral relations, especially with the Kingdom of Morocco, a strategic partner and friend of the Cape Verdean people. I also had the honor of representing the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) in Cape Verde for seven years, from 2004 to 2011, with residence in Dakar, which allowed me to closely follow the country’s evolution and build lasting relationships with its institutions and leaders.
May this fiftieth anniversary be an opportunity to renew our faith in the future of Cape Verde, in its youth, in its economic and human potential. May this sister Nation continue to inspire the African continent with its exemplary nature, dignity, and determination to build a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society.
Viva Cabo Verde! Viva Africa!
