Toward Democratic Consolidation in Cape Verde
12 February 2006

The upcoming presidential elections, to be held on February 12, offer signs that Cape Verde is moving to consolidate its democracy.  The country has been awarded $112 million dollars as part of the US Millennium Challenge Account, which requires that a country demonstrate that it can “rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom.”

Of the many political parties in Cape Verde, two dominate most politics.  The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) ruled after independence and has been in control of government since 2001.  The other main party, Movement for Democracy (MpD), won the first multi-party elections in 1990, and was in power until 2001.  PAIVC won 52% of the vote in January 2006 parliamentary elections. 

Sources:
BBC Q&A
BBC January 23: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4638824.stm
Millennium Challenge Accounts: www.mca.gov