Luanda - Angola is in national mourning for the passing of former President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos.
The national mourning began at midnight on Saturday, 9 November, for a period of seven days with the national flag flying at half mast and the cancellation of all public performances and demonstrations.
The Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, justified in a Presidential Decree the homage with the fact that José Eduardo dos Santos was "a unique figure of the Angolan Homeland, to which he dedicated himself since very early, having had relevant participation in the fight against colonization, in the conquest of the National Independence, in the consolidation of the Angolan Nation, in its affirmation in the context of the Nations, in the conquest of peace and national reconstruction and reconciliation.
As part of the funeral programme, the government has created public spaces in the 18 provinces for the presentation of condolences.
In Luanda, the official venue is Republic Square, which since Monday has received several hundred citizens, including political, diplomatic, ecclesiastical and other entities.
