Luanda - Angolan government decreed Friday a five-day national mourning following the death of the former President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos.
The information is expressed in the Presidential Decree, reached ANGOP Friday, stating that the move is meant to properly pay tribute to his figure, work, deeds and legacy at the service of the Angolan Nation.
The decree recalls the former President as a unique figure of the Angolan homeland, to which he dedicated himself from a very early age.
José Eduardo dos Santos had a relevant participation in the fight against colonisation, in the conquest of National Independence, in the consolidation of the Nation, in its affirmation in the context of the Nations, in the achievement of peace and national reconstruction and reconciliation, added the decree.
It stressed that during the period of the national mourning, which will begin at 0:00 on July 9th, the National Flag shall be flown at half-mast and all shows and public demonstrations be canceled.
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José Eduardo dos Santos came to power in September 1979, following the death of the First President of Angola, António Agostinho Neto.
He served as President of the Republic for 38 years, until September 2017, when he was succeeded by the current Head of State, João Lourenço.
In addition to being President of the Republic, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and President of the ruling MPLA party, the political organization that has ruled the country since the proclamation of national independence on 11 November 1975.
His political record also includes the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other functions in the State and in the MPLA.
He led the process that culminated in the signing of the Peace Accords on 4 April, 2002, following the death of the then founding leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi.
