In São Tomé and Príncipe, the minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Wuando Castro, justified the decision with the significance that the former Angolan president had in the "consolidation of relations of friendship and cooperation" between the two countries in recent decades and "also taking into account its political weight" in Angola and "also at the level of Africa, especially in the southern region".
Wuando Castro stressed that Eduardo dos Santos "is a great figure on the African continent" and "a friend of the Sao Tome people", therefore "deserving of a public tribute by the Sao Tome State".
The decree came into force from 00:00 this Thursday, the day when the national flag will be at half mast and all recreational and cultural activities in the country are prohibited.
In Mozambique, and according to the Government, the decision was taken taking into account the "historical ties of brotherhood and solidarity", among which is the "combination of efforts for the liberation" and "consolidation of independence" of the two countries. , said Ludovina Bernardo, spokeswoman for the Council of Ministers.
Mozambique also highlighted the role of Eduardo dos Santos in the "fight for racial equality" and in "promoting dialogue, stability and peace among the peoples of the region".
