AMBASSADOR CARLOS WAHNON VEIGA

Until his recent nomination as Ambassador Extraordinary an Plenipotentiary of Cabo Verde to the United States of America, Carlos W. Veiga was a well-respected and experienced lawyer. Holding over 40 years’ experience in public service, both as a magistrate and senior public administration official, as well as in the exercise of government and parliamentary functions, his specific areas of expertise include the definition and implementation of global and sectorial public policies, institutional and economic reforms, leadership of professional bodies, legal advice to public and private sector entities, attorney,  international arbitration, lecturing on matters of administrative and international law, as well as on the field of legislation drafting.In addition to his experience as a former Attorney General, Veiga has extensive Government and parliamentary experience, having held the high post of Prime Minister from 1991 to 2000 and having been elected Member of Parliament in 1985, 1991, 1995 and 2011).

DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

From 1975 to 1978

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CABO VERDE

From 1978 to 1980

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

v  Elected for the term 1985-1990

v  Elected for the term 1991-1996

v  Re-elected for the term 1996-2001

v  Re-elected for the term 2011-2016  (Vice-President)

PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CABO VERDE

From 1991 to 2000

PRESIDENT OF THE CABOVERDEAN BAR ASSOCIATION

From 1981 to 1986

Re-elected for the term 2004.-2006

PRESIDENT OF “MOVIMENTO PARA A DEMOCRACIA”(Ruling party)

From 1991 to 2000

Again re-elected from 2009 to 2013;

UNIVERSIDADE CLÁSSICA DE LISBOA, LISBON - PORTUGAL

Degree obtained

• Portuguese
• Caboverdean Creole
• French
• English
• Spanish

Carlos Wahnon Veiga was born on October 21^st 1949 in Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Cabo Verde. He is married to Maria Epifânia Cruz Almeida and have adult children, grandchildren and a great-grandson.

• From 1990/2000 and again from 2009/2013, Carlos W. Veiga led the “Movimento para a Democracia” (MpD), recently returned to power, after obtaining an absolute majority in Parliament following the legislative elections of 20^th March 2016. Throughout the 90’s, in an environment of absolute political and social stability, MpD successfully promoted the design and implementation of the much needed transition from a one-party regime to a constitutional democracy, as well as, the replacement of the state-planned to a market economy. Equally important was the enacting of a modern and democratic Constitution, as well as the establishing of the rule of law and a conforming atmosphere of freedom and pluralism. Significant rates of economic growth and social development, coupled with significant reduction in unemployment and poverty, were recorded during this period.

• Carlos W. Veiga was Prime Minister of Cape Verde for nearly a decade (1991/2000), during which he accumulated great experience in conducting and leading institutional reform and conflict management processes. He led Cape Verde in the critical period of transition from a one-party regime to a democratic constitutional State. In such capacity, he steered a smooth setting-up and consolidation of the new institutions of the Republic, allowing for a system of multiparty democracy that enshrined and practiced individual freedoms and pluralism, respect for human rights, independence of the judiciary and the compliance of the Government to the rule of law.During the period in which Carlos W. Veiga headed the Government, fundamental reforms were implemented at the political, administrative, financial, social and economic levels. The introduction of a democratically elected municipal government, as well as comprehensive reforms in the educational system, the state owned business sector - which has resulted in the privatization of public companies and the emergence of a national and foreign private sector - the liberalization of the economy and the opening up to foreign investment, the reform of the financial and fiscal systems are just few examples.

• Carlos W. Veiga was twice a candidate for President, winning on both occasions the majority of votes in the country but losing in the expatriate circles, in 2001 and 2006.