Rights
1992 Constitution with a Supreme Court and consistent democratic alternation
The Constitution of 1992, revised in 1999 and 2010, establishes a semi-presidential republic. Cabo Verde has had repeated peaceful transfers of power between the PAICV and MpD, and ranks at the top of African governance indices.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Tribunal Constitucional, established in 2015, exercises constitutional review; the Supremo Tribunal de Justiça heads the ordinary courts.
- Deadline — Constitutional review: on referral to the Tribunal Constitucional
- Deadline — Electoral petition: within the period set by the electoral code
Governing law
- Constituição da República de Cabo Verde1992, revised 1999 and 2010
- Lei n° 73/VII/2010 sobre o Tribunal Constitucional
In practice
Cabo Verde created a dedicated Tribunal Constitucional only in 2015, having previously vested review in the Supremo Tribunal de Justiça. The archipelago's record of alternation without violence, an independent judiciary and abolition of the death penalty since 1981 make it the strongest rule-of-law performer in the region, and it is not an OHADA member.