The award, according to the presidential decree shared on the presidency's Facebook page, aims to recognize and encourage military careers and honor officers and non-commissioned officers "who have made an exemplary contribution to the advancement of the nation and the Angolan Armed Forces."
The awards include approximately 80 generals, including former presidents António Agostinho Neto and José Eduardo dos Santos, both deceased, as well as figures linked to the highest bodies of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), such as António dos Santos França "Ndalu," Minister and Chief of the Military Household Francisco Pereira Furtado, Julião Mateus Paulo "Dino Matross," and Minister João Ernesto dos Santos "Liberdade," as well as Fernando Garcia Miala, head of the "secret service."
Also on the list is Higino Carneiro, who last week announced his pre-candidacy for the MPLA leadership and is running in new general elections in 2027.
João Lourenço, who is serving his second term as President, will not be able to run again.
