Conventional Long Form Name: Republic of Cabo Verde
Capital City: Praia Type of Government: Republic Date of Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) National Holidays: Independence Day 5 July 1975 Chief of State: President Jorge Carlos Fonseca Head of Government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira Neves Executive Branch/Powers: President directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president Legislative Branch/Powers: Unicameral National Assembly (72 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) Judicial Branch/Powers: Judges appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and the remainder by the Supreme Council of Magistrates, a 9-member independent body presided over by the chief justice and includes the high judicial inspector, 2 presidential appointees, 3 elected by the National Assembly, and 2 by their court peers; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from peers of the Supreme Court Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Ambassador to the U.S.: Jose Luis Fialho Rocha Embassy in the U.S.: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 Consulate Location in the U.S.: Boston Name of U.S. Ambassador: Donald L. Heflin Location of U.S. Embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia U.S. Consulate Location: N/A Representitive to UN: Antonio Pedro Monteiro Lima Symbolism of Flag: The rectangle symbolizes infinite space of the sea and sky; the ten yellow stars represent the 10 islands; the circle of the stars symbolizes the Cape Verdean Nation and its unity; the circle in a certain sense, is the world to which we are opened and that is opened to us; the strips are the road to the construction of the country; the blue is the sea and the sky; the white is the peace we want; the red is our effort. National Symbol: Ten, five-pointed, yellow stars International Disputes: None Quantity of Refugees in Country/Origin of Refugees: None Quantity of Internally Displaced Persons: N/A Quantity of Stateless Persons: 115 Current Human Trafficking Issues: Cape Verde is a source country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking within the country and, at times, a source for persons trafficked to Brazil, Portugal, and other countries in Europe for forced transport of drugs. Illicit Drug Trafficking/Use: Used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine destined for Western Europe; has taken steps to deter drug money laundering, includingthe establishment in 2008 of a Financial Intelligence Unit |
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