LEADERSHIP DISPUTES AND THE POLITICAL DEBATE
Perhaps it's too much to ask, but I would nevertheless appeal to the various campaigners for the next elections to the leadership of the PAICV not to involve me in the party politics of that party, of which I was, for almost 15 years, President with great honor.
Before the local elections on December 1, as President of the Republic, I visited several municipalities, of all political colors, and in certain circumstances I praised the work that the respective mayors had been doing. I suspended my visits during the election campaigns, precisely so that I wouldn't be involved in them. Only now have I resumed "the Presidency on the Island" and it was in Santo Antão, where I recognized the immense work that the local authorities have been doing for local and regional development.
Since I decided to run for President of the Republic, I have left the PAICV. The President must be supra-partisan in order to be able to perform the functions of arbiter and moderator of the political system with equidistance.
Recently, activists of some candidates, taking them out of context, have published some of my speeches made some time ago, to get me to support this or that candidate for President of the PAICV or to indecently attack me.
I reiterate that I do not have any kind of party activity, I do not meddle in the internal affairs of the PAICV or any other party and, for this very reason, I am totally distant from party electoral disputes.
There is therefore no point in any publication trying to stick me to this or that candidate as a pretext for vile attacks on my person.
