After missing the son-in-law's funeral, Sindika Dokolo, who died on October 29, José Eduardo dos Santos decided to join his daughter and grandchildren during the Christmas season, having traveled to Dubai.
After causing some doubts, his presence in the United Arab Emirates was confirmed by the Portuguese newspaper Observador, which cites sources close to the circle of the former President of the Angolan presidency.
According to a press release from the Angolan embassy in Abu Dhabi, it is now known that the former ruler arrived "in the early hours of December 21, on Emirates Airlines flight EK 186". Upon arrival in the country, JES stayed at the Andrews Fountain Views Hotel.
Waiting at the airport would be Isabel dos Santos as well as the Angolan ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Albino Malungo, in order to provide technical-protocol assistance to the former President, "as requested by the President's Ceremonial".
The same note also mentions Manuel Vicente's arrival in Dubai. The ambassador is said to have seen the ex-President of the Republic disembark at Terminal 3 of the airport, on flight EK 794 from Luanda.
A source linked to the president's circle assured the Portuguese newspaper that the permanence of the two former governors in the same country is just "a coincidence".
It is recalled that last week Manuel Vicente implicated José Eduardo dos Santos in corruption deals related to the state-owned Sonangol.