Former Angolan President, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, reputed for his iron-fist rule for 38 years is dead.
The Angolan government disclosed that Santos died on Friday at a hospital in Barcelona after suffering cardiac arrest at age 79.
With “great pain and consternation” the Luanda government posted on Facebook confirmation of the Dos Santos’ death at 11:10 am (1010 GMT).
“(The government) presents its deepest feelings of sorrow to the bereaved family,” the statement read, describing the former leader as a “statesman of great historical stature” who led the country through very difficult times.
Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who is seeking re-election in August, declared five days of national mourning, starting on Saturday, and set-up a government commission to organise funerals.
A presidential decree ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and the cancellation of “all shows and political demonstrations”.
Dos Santos stepped down in September 2017 after 38 years at the helm of the Portuguese-speaking, oil-rich state of Angola.
He was hospitalised in Spain and placed in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest on June 23.
