Brava: Equal Opportunities in Check after 50 Years of Independence of Cape Verde

The crux of the matter lies in the BCV's decision to hold in-person tests for a public competition in the city of Praia, the country's capital. A young candidate, resident on the island of Brava, was unable to attend the tests due to the isolation of her island, which was without sea connections for a week due to problems with the transport concessionaire.

Despite the appeals and justification presented by the candidate, the BCV officials maintained their decision, claiming that there was no room for exceptions. This stance generated strong opposition, with criticism pointing to a violation of the principle of equal opportunities, enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic.

Carlos Burgo, in public statements, expressed his perplexity at the situation, comparing it to colonial times, when the lack of transport was accepted as a justification for not meeting deadlines. "At least in colonial times, the lack of transport was accepted as a justification. Wow!", exclaimed the former minister.

The situation of the young candidate from Brava highlights the weaknesses of the maritime transport system in Cape Verde, which often leaves the most peripheral islands isolated from the rest of the country. This problem, which affects access to essential services such as health, education and justice, jeopardises territorial cohesion and equal opportunities among citizens.

The controversy surrounding the BCV competition raises questions about the need to rethink selection criteria in public competitions, in order to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their geographical location, have equal opportunities. The situation also serves as a warning of the urgent need to invest in efficient and reliable maritime transport infrastructures, which guarantee connections between all the islands of the archipelago.