Cape Verde goes to the polls in presidential vote

Elections in Cape Verdefor the country's next president took place on Sunday.

The two main candidates are current leader 66-year-old Jose Maria Neves, considered the favorite of winning a second term, and Joana Rosa Amando, 61, a former justice minister who could become the country's first-ever female president. Four other candidates take part in the race.

Each of the top candidates has the support of one of the country's two main parties.

According to Amandu, a woman winning the presidential race would show many young women and girls that "no government job is barred from them."

Results expected during night

Voting started at 09:00 GMT and will end at 19:00 GMT in the west Africanarchipelago. Provisional results are expected during the night.

Some 420,000 people are eligible to vote, with the election being watched by about 150 observers from the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and European Union.

The country is made of ten volcanic islands, is located in the Atlantic Ocean about 600 kilometers (375 miles) off the coast of Senegal.

Good governance

Cape Verde is known for its democratic stability and good governance, and its economy has been showing strong growth. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's 2026 index on global governance has the country in third place of Africa's 54 countries, with only Seychellesand Mauritius faring better.

Its political system is semi-presidential, with the prime minister being responsible for the executive. The president, in turn, is responsible for guaranteeing unity and upholding the constitution.

According to the World Bank, Cape Verde is an upper-middle-income country due to its growing tourism industry.

The challenges it faces range from social inequality, the islands' geographic isolation and the lack of traveling options between islands.

The increased cost of living, energy prices and youth unemployment also play a role.

The country became world renowned after its national team reached the 2026 World Cup's knockout stages despite taking part in it for the first time. Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, became a world star due to his performance against later world champions Spain.

Cape Verde's World Cup journey sparks national pride