Africa-Press – Cape verde. As a summary of the International Conference “Freedom, Democracy and Good Governance: A look from Cape Verde”, the Prime Minister was today satisfied with the positive impact of the event, which took place on the 8th and 9th of April, in Sal, in promoting democratic values and Cape Verde’s international reputation.
Ulisses Correia e Silva highlighted the quality of the participation, reviewing some of the most striking interventions, including that of the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres and the video message sent by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which shared very strong messages, about the importance of peace, freedom and democracy in the world.
“This conference combined several aspects. It wasn’t just speeches from political leaders. We had representatives from think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academics, young people and a very diverse audience. And this is how, in fact, debates on democracy should be held”, he highlighted.
One of the main objectives of the conference was to promote debate and protect democracy at a time when it faces global challenges such as populism and extremism. Cape Verde, by hosting the event, reinforced its position as a defender of democratic values and as an active member of the international community, committed to peace and development.
The final costs of the event are not yet known, and a maximum ceiling of 55 thousand contos has been established for its organization, a value that has been contested by the opposition.
Refusing to enter into political controversies, the PM argued that the recognition of the success of this event and the country’s ability to present itself internationally, shows a greater return than “any investment that Cape Verde can make”.
These are, therefore, necessary debates that, moreover, position Cape Verde in the international arena with credibility, he assessed.
“It is no coincidence that the Secretary-General of the United Nations participated. It is no coincidence that several other entities representing the world participated in this conference. It’s because they see its usefulness”, he stressed.
As for complaints from the opposition that they were not invited to participate in the event, the PM denied the accusations, guaranteeing that all deputies and presidents of municipal councils were invited, with some even being present.
However, he noted, the conference was not intended to be “a replica of Parliament” or to limit itself to national democracy.
“We did not hold a debate centered on Cape Verdean democracy. We held a debate from Cape Verde, facing the world, with the participation of entities and representations from different parts of the globe,” he said.
Salt Declaration
The international conference brought together, as mentioned, participants from various continents, to discuss issues essential to the paths and challenges of democracy and freedom. These discussions resulted in the Salt Declaration, a document that proclaims a global commitment around these values, fundamental to people’s lives.
The reading of the Declaration was given by the Minister of State, National Defense, Territorial Cohesion and Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs, Janine Lélis, at the end of the work, which over two days involved more than 20 speakers and around of 200 participants.
Over 10 points, this joint Declaration addresses fundamental issues, which reflect the participants’ conviction about the importance of freedom, democracy and good governance for the development of countries and the well-being of their citizens.
The themes range from the commitment to defending universal human rights to the need to strengthen democratic institutions, including, for example, the defense of a free press.
With this Declaration, signed in Sal, it meets Cape Verde’s desire to assert itself as a bridge of positive influence in the concert of Nations.
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