Luanda – The Republic Square, in Luanda City, opens from 09h00 Monday for the homage to the former President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, who died Friday in Spain, victim of an illness.
The Head of State, João Lourenço, is expected to be present at the spot in order to also pay tribute to José Eduardo dos Santos.
Speaking as the spokesman of the Interministerial Commission for Funeral Service, minister Marcy Lopes said that as from 2.00 pm the Republic Square will be open to the public, so that citizens may pay homage to the former Angolan Head of State.
Regarding the death of the former Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, the Government decreed seven days of National Mourning.
During this period, the National Flag is placed at half-mast and public performances and demonstrations are cancelled. The National Mourning period came into effect on Saturday.
José Eduardo dos Santos, who died at the age of 79, came to power in September 1979, following the death of the first Angolan President, António Agostinho Neto.
Mr Dos Santos was in office 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, José Eduardo dos Santos was Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and President of MPLA the ruling party since the proclamation of national independence on 11 November 1975.
The late president was also the minister of Foreign Affairs and other positions in the State and in the MPLA party. He led the process which ended with the signing of the Peace Agreement on 04 April 2022, following the death of the UNITA founding leader Jonas Savimbi.
