On 25 April 1974, the Movimento das Forças Armadas (Armed Forces Movement – MFA) brought an end to the political regime of the Estado Novo, which had dominated Portugal for nearly half a century.
It is well known that one of the key motivations that inspired the revolutionary movement and which became one of the priorities of the forces who subsequently took control of the country, was the independence of Portugal’s colonies in Africa. This political intention, which the MFA made clear from the outset, was in fact one of the most significant and immediately visible consequences of 25 April, and arguably the one that had the greatest impact on Portuguese society, which had been tormen- ted since 1961 by a war that endlessly devoured human lives and economic resources. There is no doubt that, for the new African nations that gained their independence thanks to this decision, 25 April is of equally fundamental importance.
While that day brought full democracy to Portugal, for the former colonies it brought freedom and consecrated their natural right to self-determination.
The Independence of Cabo Verde – proclaimed on 5 July 1975 at the National Popular Assembly – was a seminal and inspirational phenomenon that permeated many aspects of our common experience, and which must be shared with the younger generation, those who did not live through the ‘years of lead’ and who, perhaps for that reason, do not now appreciate the huge importance of the popular struggle of many decades and multiple populations to bring about the creation of new free countries. To help consolidate the historic memory of the founding of the Republic of Cabo Verde, a joint stamp issue is being released by Angola, Cabo Verde and Portugal.
As the institution with an obligation to bear witness to more than 500 years of formal communications in Portugal, which in many respects echo the history of the country itself, CTT contributes with this stamp issue not just to the remembrance of this momentous event, but also to emphasising the construction of social and emotional bonds of unity – which must last forever – among Lusophone populations.
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