2023-07-06 02:00:31
Despite having “a sea of reasons” to celebrate the 48 years of National Independence, José Maria Neves called for consensus, decisions and a new level of spirituality
The President of Cape Verde considered that the 48 years of independence and 32 years of democracy require “another level of spiritual development” for the country, whose authorities, civil society and other actors must take measures in the face of worrying social situations that could have dire consequences. .
José Maria Neves made these statements when speaking at the solemn session that marked the 48th. anniversary of National Independence, in Parliament, this Wednesday, 5.
“It is noted, with some concern, that civil society continues to be squeezed between the grips of the party forces. Citizenship lives castrated and fearful, expressing itself in a shy way. The place of speech has been an almost exclusive stronghold of political power, which predominates overwhelmingly in the areas of social, public and economic activity”, pointed out Neves, after listing a “sea of reasons” to celebrate the date.
“The achievements are undeniable and the material growth is visible. However, for it to also be more inclusive and durable, it will have to have, as a symmetry, a strong spiritual growth”, said the President who defended the emergence of “other mental habits, other customs”.
Neves continues, “in this sense, it is cause for concern, the fact that, in recent years, the rate of extreme poverty, food insecurity in its various aspects and social inequality have increased. Likewise, the finding that 51,654 young people between the ages of 15 and 35 are both unemployed and outside the education or training system is particularly worrying, representing 29.2% of all young people in this age group”.
For the former prime minister, this scenario “is a matter of great concern, and should deserve all the possible attention of all sovereign bodies, starting with this Chamber of People’s Representatives, the competent authorities and civil society, under penalty of being potentially harmful future consequences.
Neves reiterated that today’s portrait is radically and indisputably different from that of 1975, “the gains are evident”, but “the erosion of democracy is global, interspersed with a lot of populism and an equal dose of simplism from those who, in this way, intend to solve very complex” and recommends that “despite the frustrations and some democratic disenchantment, the path is to revitalize it, renew it, perfect it and defend it vehemently, preventing it from sinking”.
The Cape Verdean Head of State reiterated that society “needs more consensus and understanding, and more respect for differences and opposing opinions” and concluded that “politics cannot be a permanent battlefield”, although “unfortunately , in this arena, there has at times been a lack of maturity, a lack of constitutional loyalty and a lack of respect in the political relationship”.
The President of the National Assembly, Austolino Correia, and the leaders of the parliamentary groups also took part in the ceremony.
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