This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Cape Verde/Cabo Verde (Republica de Cabo Verde), based on research produced by the Library of Congress. Under Cape Verde's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.
Country Background
Cape Verde is a group of islands in Western Africa. It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. The capital of Cape Verde is Praia. The official language is Portuguese. The country's population in 2017 was approximately 560,900 people. Cape Verde is a predominantly Christian country, with about 85% of the population Christian.
Constitution & Legal Structure
Cape Verde is referred to as a parliamentary republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The current Constitution of Cape Verde was adopted in 1980, and was most recently amended in 1998. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system is a civil law system based off of that of Portugal.
Constitutional Status of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no constitutional status in Cape Verde.
Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Cape Verde.
Dominant School of Islamic Law
Cape Verde has no official school of Islamic law.
Sources of Law for Legal Research
Official Publications
Unofficial Databases
References:
For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide. The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].