Cape Verde marks its fourth presence at the African Nations Championship, with hopes pinned on a good performance by the Blue Sharks, reminiscent of their success in South Africa 2013. Voices are calling for better organization and investment to evolve domestic football, similar to the national team, which is almost entirely composed of players born in emigrant communities and playing in foreign leagues.

Cape Verde authorities have introduced a strategic mental health plan focused on maintaining robust primary care, prevention, and early detection of diseases amid societal concerns over rising suicide cases. Psychiatrist Daniel Silves Ferreira highlights stress, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, and illicit drug use as main suicide drivers and emphasizes the importance of mental health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment. Health Minister Filomena Gonçalves calls for concerted and decentralized actions across various sectors to address mental health issues.

Cape Verde's Ministry of Health has confirmed seven cases of dengue and suspects 58 more. A 36-year-old woman from Santa Cruz on Santiago Island died after showing symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease. Her blood sample was sent to the Instituto Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal for analysis. Health Minister Filomena Gonçalves announced enhanced surveillance mechanisms across health structures nationwide and urged the public to improve hygiene and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Cape Verde's recent decision not to attend the Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg has reignited debate over changes in the archipelago's foreign policy, traditionally characterized by equidistance between major powers. Calls for non-alignment are emerging due to the country's small size and vulnerability. Former National Assembly President António Espirito Santo advocates for adherence to international rights while considering the nation's limitations. Former UN Ambassador Fernando Wanhon notes the government's mandate for foreign policy change, evidenced by campaign promises such as closer ties with Israel. Political analyst António Ludgero Correia emphasizes the importance of international rights but also the need for Cape Verde to engage with others and contribute to peace. Additionally, the government has shifted its stance by recognizing Moroccan authority over the entire territory, a departure from its position since 1977.

Cape Verde is conducting a weapons collection campaign until July 15, coinciding with the enforcement of a new law that increases penalties for illegal weapon carriers, especially for those with artisanal firearms. Experts interviewed by VOA express skepticism about the campaign's potential effectiveness, citing a lack of political will to truly combat crime. Jurist and retired police officer João Santos hopes for success but sees the campaign as indicative of the police's weakness in controlling weapons. Sociologist and researcher Redy Lima highlights the need for political commitment to address social issues that contribute to crime. Interior Minister Paulo Rocha has identified Fogo and Santiago islands as major ammunition entry points.

The Budget Support Group (GAO), comprising countries and institutions supporting Cape Verde's state budget, urges the Praia government to reform the state business sector, limit capitalizations, control debt, and strengthen tax mechanisms. Experts suggest that stricter public management and fiscal discipline can increase domestic revenue collection. Partners acknowledge fiscal consolidation progress and emphasize the need for digital reforms to enhance tax efficiency and rationalize fiscal incentives. Economist Agnelo Sanches agrees that with greater management rigor and fiscal discipline, internal revenue can be increased, advocating for the avoidance of superfluous public spending, transparency in resource management, and education for fiscal citizenship. Portugal's cooperation advisor, Raquel Marchâ, highlights the need to limit capitalizations, guarantees, and loans to the state business sector, suggesting reforms in the sector.

In Cape Verde, the death of a five-year-old child due to alleged mistreatment by the father and numerous cases of sexual abuse within families have raised concerns among child protection organizations and society. The annual report from the Public Prosecutor's Office revealed that 32.2% of registered sexual crimes involve child sexual abuse. Calls for increased reporting of cases have been made, with the President of the Association for Support of Disadvantaged Children urging for stronger judicial measures and socio-educational efforts in communities. Religious leaders are advocating for a greater moral, civic, and spiritual culture. The President of the Institute for Support and Protection of Children and Adolescents (ICCA) acknowledges the need for more human resources, which are being addressed gradually.

In Cape Verde, there has been a 15% increase in reported cases of gender violence in 2022, with approximately 330 more cases than the previous year. The Institute for Gender Equality and Equity (ICIEG) proposes that sexual and moral harassment be better defined in the Labor Code. This issue was discussed at a conference in Praia city. ICIEG's president, Carvalho, emphasized that harassment can be committed by anyone, regardless of their hierarchical position, and should be held accountable. Lawyer Emanuel Sousa agreed, highlighting the importance of legal typification in the labor code. The National Union of Cape Verdean Workers - Central Union has urged the parliament to ratify the International Labour Organization's Convention 190, which addresses violence and harassment in the workplace and has been ratified by only seven countries since its adoption in 2019.

Cape Verde's main nursing unions, SINDEF and SNETS, are planning new forms of protest, potentially including demonstrations or strikes, if the Ministry of Health does not address their claims by May 18. Their demands include salary scale improvements, specialized training, retirement age limit adjustments, risk insurance, and reclassification for degree-holding professionals. A meeting with the Health Minister in February led to a request for a detailed list of issues, but the unions have not received further communication. The Order of Nurses, although not a union, is also seeking solutions, particularly regarding the reclassification of nurses with degrees. The Ministry has indicated that the matter will be addressed in the 2023 State Budget, and a document is expected to be sent to the unions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Cape Verde is promoting an agribusiness fair in the city of Praia, focusing on resilient agriculture that adapts to the archipelago's reality. The fair serves as a platform for promoting national products, exchanging experiences among exhibitors from various islands, and providing opportunities for contacts and sales. It also features demonstrations and introductions of agricultural machinery and tools suited to the local context.

Fishing vessel owners in Cape Verde are calling for increased investment in modern equipment to strengthen the Coast Guard's surveillance of the exclusive economic zone. They also seek government support for the acquisition of a tuna vessel to improve tuna capture capacity. The owners express concerns about unequal resources compared to foreign operators. The Minister of the Sea, Abrão Vicente, indicates the government's openness to finding resources to help the private sector. The request coincides with the first review of the current fishing agreement between Cape Verde and the European Union. João Lima, president of the Fishing Vessel Owners Association, emphasizes the need for better surveillance, while Francisco Spencer, a business owner, suggests that foreign vessels allocate a portion of their catch to local canneries. The government is also working on financing for the fishing sector and the acquisition of a patrol aircraft through the National Defense Ministry.

The world's largest and oldest regatta stopped at the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde, from January 20 to 25, stimulating the local economy and promoting the country as a tourist destination and venue for similar events. Despite the high investment of $3.7 million and some criticism amid the country's crisis, both operators and economists view the event as a good bet by the government. The Tourism Chamber's president, Jorge Spencer Lima, highlighted the full occupancy of hotels and restaurants, and the positive projection of São Vicente and Cape Verde's image, supporting the government's initiative.

Legal experts, academics, and other specialists from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries met in Cabo Verde to discuss judicial interpretation and application of community texts and the efficient protection of human rights. Following coups in Mali, Guinea Conakry, and Burkina Faso, questions arise about ECOWAS's role in defending democratic institutions. Participants believe ECOWAS has progressed acceptably over its 40-year existence but should strengthen mechanisms and enforcement of its standards. Togolese lawyer Koffi Attoh-Mensah emphasizes the need for integration based on governance, rule of law, democracy, and economic programs. As the African free trade market strengthens, economist Agnelo Sanches highlights the complementary roles of sub-regional organizations in consolidating the African Union.

Cape Verdean environmentalists are calling for increased state intervention in the creation of laws and, more importantly, in enforcement, as they note a regression in some aspects of environmental protection. Tommy Melo of Biosfera I accuses the state of being the main obstacle to environmental protection and emphasizes the need for clear policies and strong oversight. Januário Nascimento, president of the Environmental Defense Association, calls for more public sector openness to civil society involvement in environmental policies and projects. They highlight the general population's awareness of environmental preservation and the need for measures to improve living standards before being uncompromising against offenders. While satisfied with regulations protecting turtles, Melo expresses concern over the management of protected marine areas, diving fishing, and sand harvesting, warning of potential significant setbacks to the marine ecosystem. Nascimento points out the effective private sector work in plastic recycling and calls for more government support, emphasizing the need for better land use planning, soil conservation, ecological and innovative agriculture with new technologies, and increased marine territory protection.

The preventive detention of UCID deputy Amadeu Oliveira, a critic of the judiciary in Cabo Verde, has sparked debates about parliamentary immunity and the suspension of deputies' mandates. Legal experts and former deputies, including José António dos Reis and António Espírito Santo, emphasize the importance of scrupulously following the law in these matters. University professor Emanuel Sousa suggests that the judiciary may be exerting undue pressure on the Parliament. The debate and vote on the suspension of Oliveira's mandate, initially scheduled for a Tuesday session, was postponed after his party, UCID, and the opposition PAICV argued that legal procedures were not followed, leading to a heated discussion in the assembly.