The government of Cabo Verde, led by Francisco Carvalho, has made significant changes in its first 100 days, with a massive replacement of public officials. According to a study by Lígia Dias Fonseca, at least 82 people have been replaced in key positions, compared to 27 in the same period in 2016 under the government of Ulisses Correia e Silva. These numbers exclude lower-level staff and focus on high-ranking officials.
The replacements have been particularly notable in the education sector, with 61 people losing their positions in the first 100 days of the new government. In contrast, only 17 people were replaced in the same period in 2016. The changes have affected the Ministry of Education and the FICASE, with 21 delegates losing their positions in a single decision. This has raised questions about the impact on institutional memory and continuity.
The study used artificial intelligence tools to analyze official documents and verify the numbers. The results suggest that the current government has made a significant effort to change the leadership of key institutions. However, it is unclear what criteria were used to select who would be replaced and who would stay. The changes have sparked debate about the role of ideology in the selection of public officials.
The Constitution of Cabo Verde establishes that the administration should be guided by the principles of justice, transparency, and impartiality. It also states that public officials should not be favored or disadvantaged based on their political affiliations. The massive replacement of officials has raised concerns about the impact on the functioning of the government and the delivery of public services.
The study's author, Lígia Dias Fonseca, notes that the use of artificial intelligence tools has made it possible to analyze and monitor the actions of public officials in a more effective way. The study's findings have sparked a reflection on the criteria used to select public officials and the impact of the changes on the functioning of the government.
The government has defended the right to change officials to implement its policies. However, the scale of the replacements has raised questions about the cost to institutional memory and continuity. The education sector has been particularly affected, with concerns about the impact on the preparation of the new school year and the delivery of education services.
The study's findings have sparked a national debate about the role of ideology in the selection of public officials and the impact of the changes on the functioning of the government. The government has been urged to be transparent about the criteria used to select officials and to ensure that the changes do not undermine the delivery of public services.
Key points
- The government of Cabo Verde has replaced at least 82 people in key positions in its first 100 days.
- The education sector has been particularly affected, with 61 people losing their positions.
- The changes have sparked debate about the role of ideology in the selection of public officials.
