Reconquering Santa Catarina do Fogo and Brava in the next elections is PAICV’s main challenge for the southern region – Rui Semedo

The challenge was launched on Friday night, by the president of PAICV, Rui Semedo, at the opening of the political year on the island of Fogo, highlighting that the challenge is to continue developing the municipalities of São Filipe and Mosteiros, where it is possible to , and regain Santa Catarina to give a new direction to this municipality that since 2016 has passed into the hands of the Movement for Democracy (MpD).

Rui Semedo appealed to his party's activists and supporters to embrace a broader challenge to give a new direction to the Fogo/Brava Region because, he explained, Brava needs leadership with vision, capacity and dedication that contributes to dragging the population towards its development.

“It is a challenge to give the Fogo/Brava Region a different direction. We have to work to win because victory does not happen by miracle and we have clear and mobilizing leaders to maintain the two municipalities (São Filipe and Mosteiros) and conquer Santa Catarina and Brava”, stated Rui Semedo.

The politician recalled that at national level his party has set a bold goal, which is to be, for the first time, the party with the largest number of chambers, highlighting that PAICV is firmly committed to this journey to achieve this goal that is possible.

For the president of PAICV, the focus is to maintain the eight chambers managed by his party and win more chambers, highlighting that there are real possibilities for this to happen, namely the two in the Fogo/Brava Region, but also on the island of Santiago and the islands from Barlavento.

“The country is directionless and we have to bring about a change of course starting with the 2024 local elections”, said Rui Semedo, appealing to activists for a broad internal understanding to separate the essential from the non-essential and to consolidate the basis of unity and to understand that Cape Verde, at this moment, needs PAICV to be increasingly prepared for a new direction, a new government and a new way of thinking about the country based on patriotism.

Rui Semedo highlighted the importance of the act of tribute and recognition of around three dozen activists, the oldest being 94 years old, for the contribution they made to the development of the island and the growth of PAICV.

On the other hand, he recognized the militants on the island of Fogo, who, according to him, always responded in the most challenging and difficult moments, mobilizing to sustain the PAICV, and for the example they gave at all times, such as in the political transition in which they resisted temptations. of instrumentalization, persecution and other forms of control, but also recognized the generation who took responsibility and who govern the island after political opening until today.

The president of the PAICV Regional Fire Political Commission (CPR), Luís Nunes, said that the strength of the PAICV is at its base and that there is continuous growth of this strength.

He highlighted that the party is well organized and structured in the municipalities of São Filipe and Mosteiros and that the concern regarding Santa Catarina will be overcome within three weeks with the election of local bodies, such as sector committee and first secretary.

“The goal established by CPR-Fogo is to structure the PAICV and work to be the largest local party in the Fogo/Brava Region”, said Luís Nunes, highlighting that the objective is to maintain the chambers of São Filipe and Mosteiros, regain Santa Catarina do Fogo and Brava to “paint the region yellow”.

Regarding the tribute to older militants, Luís Nunes indicated that it is recognition for the commitment and contribution they gave, hoping that it can serve as an example for younger militants in giving everything without receiving anything in return.

The mayors of São Filipe and Mosteiros, Nuías Silva and Fábio Vieira, respectively, also spoke at the opening ceremony, diagnosing the work carried out in their municipalities and both complained about the discrimination they have been subjected to by some of the MpD government, in an “attempt to strangle” the process of socioeconomic development.

After São Filipe, today the president of PAICV travels to the neighboring island of Brava to open the political year on that island.