José Maria Neves announces bid for second term as Cape Verde president

Cape Verde President José Maria Neves has announced his candidacy for a second five-year term in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for November 15, 2026. Neves, 66, stated that he intends to use his experience to continue pursuing long-term national causes and to build a prosperous nation.

Neves, who previously served as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2016 before becoming president in 2021, is seeking the support of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), the party he formerly led. While political parties can support candidates, the presidency in Cape Verde is a non-partisan role.

The election process involves both domestic voters and the diaspora in countries such as Senegal, France, Portugal, and the United States. Nine individuals have expressed intention to run, pending formal documentation submission to the Constitutional Court. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a second round is scheduled for November 29.