Leonildo Monteiro passed away: Patriot who had active militancy for national independence – Leader of PAICV

Victim of a prolonged illness, Leonildo Monteiro, former deputy of the nation and Director General of the Naval Shipyards of Cape Verde, died on February 4th, in Portugal, at the age of 85. In a note of regret, the PAICV leader qualifies Monteiro, who was an electrical engineer by profession, as a « patriot » who « began his active militancy in Portugal around the cause of Cape Verde’s independence, joining the ranks of the PAIGC in hiding ».

« It is with a feeling of deep consternation that the African Independence Party of Cabo Vede (PAICV) became aware of the physical disappearance of Engineer LEONILDO CIRILO MONTEIRO, on the 4th of February, in Portugal, at the age of 85 », he expressed Rui Semedo.

Leonildo Monteiro was born in the parish of Santo Crucifixo, municipality of Ribeira Grande de Santo Antão, island where he was born on January 17, 1938.

« In order to continue his studies, he had to travel to S. Vicente early, as was the fate of many of his countrymen, where he completed secondary education, which he ended with recognized merit », reads the note of regret that this newspaper had access, emphasizing that, while waiting for the scholarship to continue his studies in Portugal, he played the role of tutor, teaching secondary school students at the Lyceums at that time.

In 1960, he was called up for compulsory military service in Portugal where, after being posted to one of the former colonies at the time, he would complete his studies in Electrotechnical Engineering.

Leonildo Monteiro was also a fighter for the country's freedom. « It was also in Portugal that he began his active militancy around the cause of Cape Verde's independence, joining the ranks of the PAIGC, in hiding », says the note we have been quoting.

Manager and politician in Mindelo

According to the same source, Leonildo also started to work in Portugal, performing relevant functions as an engineer by profession until April 25, 1974, when, like several national staff, he returned to Cape Verde to make his contribution to this country.

As a technician and professional, he held various positions, including General Director of Industry and Energy, General Director of CABNAVE and president of the then Barlavento Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Association (ACIAB) - he settled in São Vicente several years ago , where he lived until his death.

As a politician, in addition to being a leader of the PAICV, he was councilor of the Municipality of S. Vicente and elected Deputy of the nation by the Electoral Circle of S. Vicente, « exercising his mandate from 1996 to 2001 ».

« It is to this outstanding comrade and militant that the PAICV bids farewell with consternation, with a deep feeling of regret and with recognition of his contribution to the growth of this country of all of us », concludes Rui Semedo, expressing to Leonildo Monteiro's family and friends your most heartfelt condolences.