The former president of Angola Jose Eduardo dos Santos has died.

dos Santos died at Teknon clinic in Barcelona, Spain where he was receiving treatment for an illness bravely borne.

Jose Eduardo dos Santos. PHOTO/COURTESY

The Angolan government announced the death of its former head of state through a statement that was shared across social media platforms.

“The Executive of the Republic of Angola brings to the knowledge of national and international public opinion, with a feeling of great pain and dismay, the death of His Excellency the former President of the Republic, Engineer José Eduardo dos Santos, happened today at 11:10, Spanish time certified by the medical report of the clinic in Barcelona after a prolonged illness,” the statement read

Read More

  1. Dutchman Darius van Driel swings his way to victory at Magical Kenya Open
  2. BantuBet set to unveil its street football and basketball tournaments in Kenya
  3. Faith Kipyegon does it again as she smashes 5,000m world record at Paris Diamond League

His successor President João Lourenço has declared 5 days of national mourning and ordered all Angolan flags to be hoisted at half-mast.

“National mourning is declared to be observed throughout the national territory and in diplomatic and consular missions. The national mourning referred to in the previous number lasts for 5 days and starts at 00:00 on July 9, 2022,” Lourenço

“While national mourning is in force, the National Flag must be placed at half-mast and all shows and public demonstrations must be canceled.”

João Lourenço. PHOTO/COURTESY

dos Santos became president of Angola at 37 after the death of the first president of Angola António Agostinho Neto who died in the Soviet Union where he went to undergo cancer surgery and hepatitis.

Santol ruled Angola from 1974 to 2017 when he voluntarily stepped down after his health began deteriorating, making him the second longest-serving African head of state after President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.