"We are a great nation. What unites us will always be stronger than what separates us, because whatever ideas we defend, we all have Angola in our hearts," says José Eduardo dos Santos in the message, which was released this Sunday on the Facebook page of his daughter, Isabel dos Santos.
José Eduardo dos Santos begins by saying that independent reasons of his will have kept him away from the country in recent months, but that even at a distance he shares the "sufferings" and "hopes" of the population, and adds that with a sense of commitment he wishes João Lourenço, all members of the Political Bureau and Central Committee, and the party's militants success.
"In the specific economic and social context that the country is going through, I know that there is nothing more difficult than to lead a nation that faces adversity," he also says in the message, in which he adds: "United, we always overcome all challenges. In the same way that together we conquer peace, we will win the bet of economic prosperity and well-being for Angolans, in unity, dialogue and mutual respect".
The Luanda Provincial Court recently ordered the preventive seizure of personal bank accounts of Isabel dos Santos, her husband Sindika Dokolo and the Portuguese Mário da Silva, in addition to nine companies in which the daughter of the former President holds shares.
Isabel dos Santos holds stakes in Portugal in sectors such as energy (Galp and Efacec), telecommunications (NOS) or banking (EuroBic).
The Court's decision highlights the crucial role played by José Eduardo dos Santos in the diamond business of her daughter and her husband, Sindaka Dokolo. In the ruling, which the Lusa had access to, it is said that in an evidence hearing, after hearing the witnesses, it was proved, among other facts, that in August 2010, the executive, headed by José Eduardo dos Santos, decided to trade Angolan diamonds abroad.
