Luanda - Mozambique will observe, as from Thursday, 14, five days of national mourning in memory of former Angolan president, José Eduardo dos Santos, who died on 8 July, in Spain, due to illness.
The Mozambican government stresses in a statement issued at the first session of the Cabinet Council the historic bonds of brotherhood, friendship and mutual solidarity between the two peoples and governments.
In the statement, to which ANGOP has had access, it is highlighted that José Eduardo dos Santos gained at regional and international domains a high prestige and esteem, mainly in the context of the racial equality fight, against apartheid and in favour of freedom, dignity, economic and social progress of Southern African countries and of the African continent in general.
The Mozambican government also emphasizes the role played by José Eduardo dos Santos in the founding of SADC, in the promotion of dialogue, stability and peace among the peoples of the region.
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.
In addition to being Head of State, 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, with the demise of the founder of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi.
