How to Pronounce Pedro Pires

Meaning and Context

Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires is a seminal figure in the history of the Republic of Cape Verde, having served as its third President from March 2001 to September 2011. His political career is deeply intertwined with the nation's journey to sovereignty, having been a key lieutenant to Amílcar Cabral in the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) during the armed struggle against Portuguese colonial rule. Following independence in 1975, Pires served as the nation's first Prime Minister for over two decades, a period marked by his pragmatic governance in steering the archipelago through post-colonial challenges. His presidential tenure, which began with his election in 2001, is widely credited for consolidating democratic institutions and fostering significant economic development, leading to Cape Verde's graduation from Least Developed Country status. For his commitment to democracy and stability, Pedro Pires was awarded the prestigious Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in 2011, cementing his legacy as a foundational Cape Verdean statesman and a respected African political leader.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Pedro Pires. Common errors often arise from misspellings of his surname or the omission of his middle name. Frequent typos include "Pedro Pires" (incorrectly adding an accent), "Pedro Piris," or "Pedro Pyres." Some may mistakenly combine his names, writing "Pedropires." In Portuguese-language contexts, his full name is often correctly rendered as Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires, with "Rodrigues" sometimes being misspelled as "Rodriguez." It is also not uncommon to see his first name Anglicized to "Peter" in error, though this is incorrect. When searching for information, using the accurate spelling "Pedro Pires" is crucial, as variations may lead to irrelevant results or incomplete information about this important historical figure.

Example Sentences

After a closely contested run-off, Pedro Pires was elected President of Cape Verde in 2001, succeeding António Mascarenhas Monteiro.

Historians often cite Pedro Pires's leadership as Prime Minister in the 1980s as critical for establishing Cape Verde's early administrative frameworks.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation recognized Pedro Pires's exemplary governance by awarding him its prize for African leadership upon his voluntary retirement from office.

In his memoirs, Pires reflected on the profound challenges of unifying the struggle for independence with the subsequent project of nation-building.

Scholars of Lusophone Africa frequently analyze the political philosophy and pragmatic policies of Pedro Pires.

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