Cape Verde's democratic stability

Cape Verde has confirmed itself as one of the most democratically stable countries in Africa. A few hours ago, the fifth president since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 was sworn in. The new head of state is Professor José María Neves, of the old Cape Verde Independence Party, which emerged during the years of struggle against colonialism imposed by the Portuguese regime of Oliveira Salazar and maintained by his successor, Marcelo Caetano. 

Neves is the third president of the leftist PAICV and received the post from his predecessor, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, the second of the conservative Movement for Democracy (MpD), who held the presidency. So far, the four alternating incumbents have served out two five-year terms. A true record.  Although the political rivalry between the two main parties is fierce, the respect with which they relate to each other is an influential example among the archipelago's 600,000 inhabitants. 

Neves has extensive political and government experience. He has been a minister, deputy and prime minister. He won the election in the first round with 51.7% of the vote. When he was sworn in on Tuesday in Praia, the capital -- surrounded by numerous foreign delegations led by several presidents, including Portugal's Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa -- he promised that his work will be focused on maintaining the good democratic coexistence among Cape Verdeans and contributing to understanding between the continent's sister nations, which is essential for their development.