Head of delegation that negotiated the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde with the Portuguese government. 1975-91, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde. 1975-2001, Member of Parliament. 1991-93 and 1997 until mid-2000, Leader of the largest Capeverdean opposition party. 2001, elected President of the Republic of Cape Verde; re-elected in 2006. President, Amilcar Cabral Foundation. Member: Africa Forum; West African Commission on Drugs. Jury Member: Gulbenkian Prize; UNESCO Prize Jose Marti. UNCCD Ambassador of Drylands. Honorary Board Adviser, Africa Foundation for Governance and Leadership. Mo Ibrahim laureate.