Luanda - Angolans living in Portugal regretted Saturday in Lisbon the death of the former President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, who died Friday in Barcelona (Spain), victim of an illness.
According to some testimonies collected by ANGOP, the Angolans consider that it is a death felt by all fellow citizens, because José Eduardo dos Santos was a statesman and human being who managed to attain peace, among other achievements.
Luzia Moniz, president of the Platform for the Development of African Women, pointed out that seeing and hearing the spontaneous manifestations of grief, a little all over the country, indicates a feeling of orphanhood.
She referred that the former Head of State has many achievements and highlighted his pan-Africanism with his decisive contribution for the liberation of Southern Africa, namely the end of apartheid.
The writer Isabel Ferreira said that the feeling is of deep sadness and total consternation.
She praised his pacifism, highlighting the reconciliation gesture of the former President of the Republic, welcoming and humanist, when receiving UNITA members in 2002.
"José Eduardo dos Santos managed, for example, to ensure that Alcides Sacala and other UNITA members were not mistreated.
Angola has lost a son who dedicated his life to independence and freedom, "with successes and failures".
Association leader Zeferino Boal said the death of President dos Santos was regrettable, stressing that he had always been at the forefront of defending the country's interests from Cabinda (north) to Cunene (south).
Angolan student Mateus Diogo deplored the fact that the nation had lost a "great son" who fought hard to achieve peace and well-being for all.
José Eduardo dos Santos came to power in September 1979, following the death of Angola's first president, António Agostinho Neto.
