"Taking into account the procedures associated with the physical passing of the former President of the Republic of Angola José Eduardo dos Santos" and "the need to extend the period of national mourning initially declared, in order to ensure that the tributes due to his figure, his work, his deeds and his legacy take place in a significant period", the current head of state, João Lourenço, increased the period of national mourning.
Thus, national mourning “lasts seven days” and began at 00:00 on July 9, according to the new decree.
The President of Angola had decreed on Friday five days of national mourning, starting also on Saturday, for the death of his predecessor, José Eduardo dos Santos, at the age of 79.
“National mourning is declared to be observed throughout the national territory and in diplomatic and consular missions”, says the first presidential decree of the head of state.
According to the decree, national mourning began at 00:00 on Saturday, 9 July, as it is now, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast and all shows and public demonstrations will be cancelled.
The head of state justified the tribute in the decree with the fact that ex-president José Eduardo dos Santos had been “a unique figure of the Angolan homeland, to which he dedicated himself from a very early age, having had a relevant participation in the fight against colonization, in the conquest of National Independence, in the consolidation of the Angolan Nation, in its affirmation in the context of Nations, in the conquest of peace and national reconstruction and reconciliation”.
The national mourning therefore aims to “honor with dignity his figure, his work, his deeds and his legacy”, according to the first presidential decree.
José Eduardo dos Santos died at the age of 79 in Barcelona, Spain, after a prolonged illness, announced the Presidency of the Republic.
