"It is with a mixed feeling, of sadness for the physical passing of our professor, doctor, comrade, older, friend, but at the same time also of satisfaction for everything that I was able to learn from him", said Manuel Augusto to journalists, on Wednesday night, in Luanda.
The former ruler recalled the multiple tasks carried out by França Van-Dúnem in Angola and abroad, noting that his journey shaped his professional growth process.
"As a man of law, as a diplomat, Professor França Van-Dúnem was a reference for my generation, for the generation of independence (of Angola) and, for that very reason, we had a professional relationship, of political camaraderie, but above all, a very solid friendship", he said.
Manuel Augusto, current secretary of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) for International Relations, even considered that he had the privilege of having been friends with França Van-Dúnem, with whom he debated the international situation.
As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he recalled, "he (França Van-Dúnem) did not hesitate to call to give advice, to have debates on different subjects".
"Therefore, it is a panoply of good, happy memories that make me, on a day like today of sadness over his physical passing, have an even more real dimension of how privileged I was to have had the opportunity to live with him", he concluded.
In a note signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, the collective of MIREX employees also expressed deep pain and consternation over the death of França Van-Dúnem, having highlighted her diplomatic career as a senior member of the ministerial department.
Former prime minister, deputy and former ambassador to Portugal Fernando José de França Van-Dúnem died on Wednesday in Portugal, aged 89.
França Van-Dúnem, born on August 24, 1934, was prime minister twice, between 1991 and 1992 and from 1996 to 1999, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and minister of Justice.
