News Cape Verde
Paris , France (PANA) - Cape Verdian President Pedro Pires has reaffirmed that he would leave power in 2011 at the end of his second term of office as stipulated by law for the people to choose his successor.
“I swore to abide by the constitution when I was taking the oath as president of the Republic. I will comply with this commitment; I don't see the reason why I should remain in power,” he said in an interview with PANA in Paris on Tuesday.
The Cape Verdian president said he would leave power because he had had a long political career and there was political and economic stability in his country.
“ Cape Verde is today enjoying respect from the international community; the country is stable and the economy is on an upward trend. I feel that I can withdraw with complete confidence to work on my memoirs,” President Pires, 75, said.
He said his political commitment began with the national liberation war under the aegis of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) led by Amilcar Cabral.
“I was actively involved in the national liberation fight; I served Cape Verde in its first days following independence. It comes down to say that I have been in the heart of the system for nearly 50 years. I frankly think that the time has come for me to withdraw,” President Pires added.
He suggested that the issues on constitutional modifications in Africa should be closely analysed, saying: “In any case, for me, if the terms of office are restricted by the constitution, this must be respected.”
The Cape Verdian president was first elected in 2001 for a five-year term of office and re-elected for a second term in 2006.
