Brava Municipal Assembly without meetings, criticism and suspicions grow just over three months before the end of the year
City of Nova Sintra, September 15, 2024 (Bravanews) - With just a few months left until the end of the year and the December municipal elections approaching, the Brava Municipal Assembly has generated great concern and controversy due to its notable absence of meetings. To date, the legislative body has not held a single session since the beginning of the year, which has raised serious questions about transparency and local governance.
The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), the main opposition to the local government, has been particularly vocal in its criticism. According to the PAICV, the lack of municipal assembly meetings not only compromises oversight of local affairs, but also raises suspicions about the administration of the mayor, Francisco Tavares. The party’s main criticism is the claim that Tavares is avoiding the presentation of the municipal administration’s financial report and accounts before the December elections, which could undermine transparency and public scrutiny.
The prolonged absence of Municipal Assembly meetings is not only a matter of legislative and legal protocol, but also directly affects the body’s ability to perform its oversight and deliberation functions on matters crucial to the community. Assembly meetings are essential for the discussion and approval of budgets, financial reports, and public policies that affect the daily lives of citizens. The lack of these meetings can result in an information and administrative vacuum that undermines the transparency and accountability of public management.
The situation is even more alarming considering that we are less than three months away from municipal elections, a critical period for local administration and for public debate on the management of municipal resources and projects. The PAICV has argued that the absence of meetings may be a strategy to avoid exposing potential financial or administrative problems before the elections, creating a scenario in which the current administration does not have to adequately account for itself in public.
In response to the criticism, President Francisco Tavares has already announced that the documents are ready and that the presentation and accounts session will be held soon, but without providing any proposed date. However, sources close to the administration suggest that the situation can be attributed to administrative and logistical challenges, although these challenges have not been clearly communicated to the public. The lack of transparency in communication and accountability contributes to the climate of distrust that permeates the situation.
The population of Brava, in turn, is increasingly concerned about the lack of information about the local administration. Citizens and community leaders have been demanding a clear explanation of the situation and that the Municipal Assembly resume its activities before the elections. Public pressure can play a crucial role in forcing greater transparency and reopening dialogue on municipal affairs.
As elections approach, it is essential that the Brava Municipal Assembly provides clarity and reestablishes its oversight and deliberation function. Transparency and accountability are fundamental pillars of any democracy, and a prolonged absence of meetings could undermine public confidence and affect the electoral process. The situation calls for a swift response and a transparent approach to ensure that all aspects of municipal governance are properly discussed and assessed ahead of the December elections.
