Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Cape Verdean President, José Maria Neves, asked today (16/01) to accelerate reforms in the Armed Forces, adapting them to maritime needs – as almost the entire territory of Cape Verde is made up of sea.
“ We have insisted on the need to accelerate the pace in various domains of governance. In the case of the Armed Forces, there is an urgent need to accelerate the reform process, adapting it to the challenges of an oceanic State, with enormous growth possibilities linked to the sea ”, he said.
The head of state was speaking at the solemn celebrations of Armed Forces Day, on the island of Sal.
“In this reformist process it is vital to create spaces for discussion ”, in a sub-regional context of “ successive subversions of the constitutional order”, he said, in an allusion to coups d’état on the African continent, in addition to a global scenario of wars and “weakening of institutions democratic ”.
“ In a country like Cape Verde, with a shortage of almost everything, security is a competitiveness factor and a vital element in internal and external credibility. We need, as bread in our mouths, as an oceanic State, predictable and flexible maritime security, capable of taking advantage of informational technologies, namely artificial intelligence, to fill existing structural gaps ”, highlighted José Maria Neves.
Specifically, the head of State pointed out “ the need to reinforce investments in the Coast Guard, in light of the provisions of its Strategic Development Plan ” – highlighting the announced acquisition of an aircraft for inspection and patient transfer missions.
“However, we are concerned about the fact that a considerable number of naval assets are still inoperative, including the patrol ship Guardian ”, he added.
The operationalization of naval resources and “ their effective distribution across the islands will allow for an efficient connection” between them, in addition to ensuring faster transfer of patients, search and rescue missions, as well as “a better projection of forces across the extensive water under the national jurisdiction, exercising State authority wherever necessary, at sea ”.
José Maria Neves also recalled two events in 2023: the accident that killed eight soldiers in Serra Malagueta, Santiago island, while carrying out a mission of public interest, as well as the death of a recruit, following an administrative march, in the Center of Military Instruction of São Vicente.
“ Two tragic moments ” that “ should be catalysts for changes in terms of processes and procedures, aiming to modernize and adapt the Military Service to the demands and requirements of the new times ”, he concluded.
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