Upon learning of the demise of José Eduardo dos Santos, the Portuguese Communist Party conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and to the Angolan people.

Succeeding President Agostinho Neto, José Eduardo dos Santos carried out the highest responsibilities at the head of the MPLA and of the Angolan State, as President of the Party that led the Angolan people to victory over Portuguese colonial rule, and as President of the Republic of Angola, during times of very hard struggles, with difficulties and complexities of the process, for the defence and consolidation of national independence, against the imperialist and racist aggression that brought huge suffering to the Angolan people, and during the rise of the struggle throughout southern Africa that led to the end of the regime of apartheid, to which Angola made a decisive contribution.

In a process not without various problems and difficulties, we have to stress the contribution to the achievement of peace by the Angolan people and the reconstruction of their country, during the exercise of his duties.

Recalling the contribution of José Eduardo dos Santos to the development of traditional relations of friendship and solidarity between the PCP and the MPLA, as well as to the relations between the Portuguese people and the Angolan people, the PCP reiterates to the MPLA its heartfelt sorrow and its solidarity.