Luanda - The vice-president of the ruling MPLA party, Luísa Damião, has stressed the importance of paying homage to the former President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, for having been a bridge-builder, promoter of peace and national reconciliation.
Luísa Damião spoke to the press after signing the book of condolence in honour of José Eduardo dos Santos, who died on Friday (8) in Barcelona, Spain.
The official also said that Mr Dos Santos has distinguished himself as a skilled diplomat since the time of the cold war.
She recalled that the personal commitment to the pacification process in Angola of this world-class politician, earned him the nickname of “Peace Architect”.
On his turn, the former prime minister and Parliament Speaker, França Van-Dúnem, said he was saddened by the passing of a mate with whom he had worked for a long time.
“We managed to bring peace to southern Africa and above all we helped other countries such as Namibia to achieve independence and the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, as well as the liberation of Nelson Mandela”, said França Van-Dúnem.
MPLA secretary general, Paulo Pombolo, said José Eduardo dos Santos is the President Emeritus and will be honoured because his career is framed with the history of the party and the country.
The politician added that the party will work so that Angolans can really pay homage to the leader who managed the country for 38 years.
On her turn Joana Tomás, secretary-general of OMA, the ruling party’s female wing, said that the memories of a great patriot who gave his best for the country will linger.
Hermínio Escórcio, a former diplomat, stressed that the country gets poorer with the loss of a statesman and a nationalist by conviction.
“He was a serene man whenever he had to sort out any issue”, Hermínio Escórcio remarked.
Virgílio de Fontes Pereira, MPLA’s parliamentary whip, praised the reconciliation efforts of Mr Dos Santos, so that Angolans could really consider themselves brothers and sisters.
Remembering the figure of José Eduardo dos Santos, the MP João Pinto referred to his qualities as a statesman who respected peers, regardless of differences.
Alongside political and business entities and civil society, thousands of citizens continue to flock to the Republic Square, in Luanda, to pay homage to José Eduardo dos Santos.
In the Republic Square, religious and angelic songs are being sung for the occasion of the funeral.
José Eduardo dos Santos, who died aged 79, served as Angolan Head of State for 38 years, until September 2017, when he was succeeded by the current President, João Lourenço.
He was Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and President of the MPLA, the party that has governed the country since the proclamation of national independence on 11 November 1975.
President Dos Santos’ 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.
