The fight for independence was led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde ( PAIGC ) and headed by Amilcar Cabral , the national hero of both countries , Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau . In 1956 , Amilcar Cabral , and a group of fellow Cape Verdeans and Guineans organised ( in Portuguese Guinea ) the clandestine African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde ( PAIGC ) , which demanded improvement in economic , social and political conditions in Cape Verde and Portuguese Guinea and formed the basis of the two nations ' independence movement .