Cape Verde and Portugal strengthen parliamentary collaboration through updated protocol
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Cape Verde and Portugal have formalized an updated cooperation protocol to strengthen parliamentary collaboration, signed on December 9 in Praia, Cape Verde. The protocol introduces regular meetings between the Parliaments of the two nations to precede their biennial Government summits, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in shaping bilateral relations.
Under the agreement, parliamentarians will gather to exchange ideas, propose recommendations, and influence Summit agendas. José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, president of Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic, described these meetings as a platform to integrate parliamentary perspectives into foreign policy discussions.
“This initiative ensures that the voices of our societies, articulated by their parliamentary representatives, shape the dialogue between governments,” he stated. Specific terms will outline the meetings’ structure, with the first session set to occur ahead of the 2027 summit.
While the next government summit is scheduled for January 2025 in Lisbon, parliamentary sessions will begin in subsequent summits to elevate societal concerns in high-level deliberations. These discussions aim to foster greater inclusion and address pressing regional challenges.
Aguiar-Branco lauded this development as a milestone for enhancing parliamentary roles within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), envisioning stronger institutions that build trust with their constituents. Reflecting on Portugal’s recent State Budget approval process, he cited it as a demonstration of democratic maturity—prioritizing national interests over partisan divides.
Austelino Correia, president of Cape Verde’s National Assembly, celebrated the protocol as a critical step in advancing parliamentary diplomacy. He emphasized the significance of proactive parliamentary roles in defending democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity, particularly in an unpredictable global landscape.
This visit, Aguiar-Branco’s first bilateral engagement as president of Portugal’s Assembly, underscores Portugal’s dedication to deepening its partnership with Cape Verde, highlighting the strategic value of their relationship.
Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/pais/2686456/portugal-e-cabo-verde-preocupados-com-perturbacoes-em-paises-cplp

Guinea-Bissau: Members of the diaspora attacked by the presidential guard in Paris
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Members of the Bissau-Guinean diaspora in France have filed a complaint against the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris, alleging physical assault and intimidation during a meeting with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The incident occurred on Sunday, December 8, during the President’s visit to the French capital, where he also met French President Emmanuel Macron.
The altercation reportedly took place in a hall rented by the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, intended as a venue for dialogue between the diaspora and President Embaló. According to eyewitness accounts, the meeting turned violent, leaving several injured, two of them seriously.
Francisco Graça, an opponent of Embaló’s regime and an attendee at the event, described how tensions escalated following remarks made by one of his colleagues. “A colleague greeted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and then tried to greet the president,” Graça recounted. “The president refused, saying, ‘I won’t shake your hand because you insult me on social media.’ Following this exchange, he was grabbed and beaten in front of the President, and the assault continued in a side room near the restrooms. When we found him, he couldn’t breathe or stand”.
The day after the incident, on Monday, December 9, President Embaló met with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace for a working lunch. Graça criticized Macron for hosting Embaló despite allegations of violent conduct. “He arrives here, orchestrates an attack, and rents a venue to do it discreetly. Yet, he is still received by France. We don’t understand Macron’s position, but perhaps one day we will,” Graça lamented.
The complaint, filed in France, names the Guinea-Bissau Embassy and Iaia Camara, a bodyguard of the President, as key respondents. As of now, the Bissau-Guinean authorities have not issued a statement regarding the accusations.
Source:https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20241210-guin%C3%A9e-bissau-des-membres-de-la-diaspora-agress%C3%A9s-par-la-garde-pr%C3%A9sidentielle-lors-de-la-visite-d-umaro-sissoco-embalo-%C3%A0-parisrge

Angolan State raises €2.5 million with sale of 30% of its stake in the stock exchange
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The sale of a 30% state stake in the Angola Debt and Stock Exchange (Bodiva) generated €2.5 million, with demand for shares surpassing supply by nearly 780%, according to a statement released by Bodiva following the conclusion of the Public Offering (OPV).
The final offer price was set at 13,259 kwanzas (€13.8), resulting in revenue of approximately 2.4 billion kwanzas (€2.5 million) from the sale of 180,000 available shares. The overwhelming interest translated into a demand-to-supply ratio of 778.94%, with only 13.06% of requests being fulfilled.
Out of 2,755 subscription orders, 2,198 were successfully allocated, bringing 1,869 new shareholders into Bodiva. Trading of these shares on the stock market is scheduled to begin on December 11.
Walter Pacheco, President of Bodiva’s Executive Committee, emphasized the significance of the results: “The exceptionally high demand-to-supply ratio, the highest in the history of OPVs conducted, reflects growing confidence in Angola’s capital market and, specifically, in the development of the Angolan Stock Exchange.”
This sale is part of Angola’s broader privatization program, which aims to divest state-owned assets through public offerings on the stock exchange, signaling a step forward in strengthening the nation’s financial markets and encouraging private investment.
Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/economia/2686444/estado-angolano-encaixa-2-5-me-com-venda-de-30-da-participacao-na-bolsa

Guinea-Bissau starts paying VAT in January 2025
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The Director-General of Contributions and Taxes in Guinea-Bissau, Ufê Vieira, announced on December 9 that Value Added Tax (VAT) will come into force on January 1, marking a “significant milestone” in the modernization of the country’s tax framework.
Speaking at the launch of a training seminar for staff from the Directorate-General for Taxes and Contributions (DGCI), Vieira emphasized that introducing VAT would bring Guinea-Bissau in line with regional tax standards, particularly those of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
He expressed confidence that VAT would create a more “attractive investment climate,” enhance the efficiency of tax administration, and boost revenue generation. Vieira noted that VAT would replace the long-standing General Sales Tax (IGV), which has been in effect since the 1990s but has struggled to achieve its intended goals of effective collection and exemption management.
“There are clear and compelling reasons to replace the IGV with VAT,” Vieira stated, underscoring VAT’s broader scope and improved potential for oversight.
According to a DGCI source, the VAT system will apply to producers, wholesalers, importers, and consumers, unlike the IGV, which was limited to a single sales rate of 19%. The new system introduces two rates: a reduced rate of 10% and a standard rate of 19%. Exports of goods will be exempt, and taxpayers will have access to online payment options, simplifying compliance procedures.
“When implemented effectively, VAT can simplify our tax system, increase revenue collection, and support the formalization of Guinea-Bissau’s economy,” Vieira remarked.
He further highlighted that this transition represents a critical step in Guinea-Bissau’s broader tax reforms. Vieira also cautioned that non-compliance with VAT regulations would result in penalties, stressing the importance of aligning with the new tax system.
Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/economia/2686279/guine-bissau-comeca-a-pagar-iva-em-janeiro-de-2025