The body, from Barcelona, arrived in Luanda on Saturday after a favorable decision from the Spanish justice to the claims of the widow of the former head of state who ruled Angola for 38 years, and which allowed the executive to bring the remains to Angola for the celebration of the funeral obsequies.
The arrival was accompanied at the airport by dozens of national and foreign journalists, as well as by senior government figures, who welcomed the widow, three of her children and other family members, while the eldest children, Tchizé, Coreon Du and Isabel dos Santos expressed their sorrow for not being able to say goodbye to their father.
The plane carrying the remains of José Eduardo dos Santos, from the TAAG airline, landed at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport at 7:16 pm, while another plane transported the family. About 30 minutes later, the urn, covered with the Angolan flag, was removed from the aircraft.
The departure of the ballot box, to the former official residence of the head of state, in Miramar in Luanda, was also expected by some militants of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and supporters of the former president, who were moved.
"Zédu has arrived", cried a lady wearing MPLA robes, supported by a family member.
Others applauded the departure of the hearse and the entourage that accompanied the family to Miramar.
Upon exiting the plane, the widow, Ana Paula dos Santos, dressed in black, was received by a group of individuals, including several government ministers and General Francisco Furtado, head of the President's Military House. She was accompanied by her three children, some of whom were carrying framed portraits of their father.
The grandchildren and other relatives of José Eduardo dos Santos also traveled on the plane.
Funeral ceremonies should take place between the 26th and 28th of August.
The Government announced on Saturday morning that "the remains of the former President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, who died on the 8th of July in Barcelona, Kingdom of Spain" would arrive in the capital on Saturday afternoon.
The note, which was issued by the Commission for the Organization of the Funeral Ceremony, also states that "the date and program of the funeral will be communicated in due course".
On Saturday afternoon, MPLA spokesman Rui Falcão admitted that the funeral should take place in Luanda on 28 August, coinciding with his birthday.
Several members of the Government were at the airport, including the ministers of Transport, Defence, of State for the Social Area, of Social Communication, and of Territorial Administration, Marcy Lopes - who is also spokesperson for the Funerals Commission Funerals.
José Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled Angola from 1979 to 2017, died on July 8, aged 79, in Barcelona, Spain, where he has spent most of his time for the past five years.
