In a statement, the head of state, João Lourenço, said he learned "with deep sorrow" of the death, by illness, of João Rodrigues Lopes, known as Ludy Kissassunda, at 88.
João Lourenço also mentioned that Ludy Kissassunda's departure reduces the number of those who from the first hour fought for the country to be independent and free.
The nationalist Ludy Kissassunda, member of the "famous Kamy Squad", was part of the first delegation of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) that arrived in Luanda and performed after independence important functions in the government, the last being the governor of Zaire province.
Ludy Kissassunda, a native of Zaire province, was a member of the Political Bureau and the Central Committee of the MPLA and the Council of the Revolution.
The nationalist died this Wednesday in Lisbon, victim of disease.
