Former Angola president Jose Eduardo dos Santos is dead

Former Angola president Jose Eduardo dos Santos has died at the age of 79 after a long illness in Spanish hospital. According to a statement from Angolan presidency, Dos Santos died on Friday at 11:10am Spanish time (10:10 GMT) at the Barcelona Teknon clinic.

Dos Santos has been described by African leaders as a Liberator and Pan Africanist who has left a rich legacy of sacrifice and struggle for peace.

Zimbabwe President Emerson Mnangagwa has said the people of Angola have lost a Leader who steadfastly devoted his entire life to the service of his country

“I have learnt with great sadness, of the untimely passing on of former President Jose Eduardo dos” Said Mnangagwa in a message to the President of Angola. “I wish to convey my deepest condolences to you, Your Excellency, the dos Santos family and the people of Angola.” he added.

Dos Santos was rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest two weeks ago and admitted into intensive care unit. His successor and current president João Lourenço, announced five days of national mourning starting Friday, when the country’s flag will fly at half-staff and public events cancelled.

The veteran politician is survived by his current wife, Ana Paula, with whom he has three children and at least three other children and various grandchildren.

Dos Santos’ most prominent daughter Isabel dos Santos reputed to be Africa’s richest woman, who has been accused of corruption and nepotism by the current administration hut she has denied the accusations calling them political witch hunt.