Africa-Press – Angola. The Head of State, João Lourenço, decreed on Thursday in Luanda the creation of a Funeral Commission to organize the wake for the former Vice-President of the Republic, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos “Nandó”, who has died of illness.
The Press Services of the Presidency of the Republic, informs that the Commission is coordinated by the Minister of State and Head of the Military Office of the President of the Republic, Francisco Pereira Furtado.
It includes the Minister of State and Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic, the Minister of State for Social Affairs, as well as the Ministers of National Defence, Interior, Territorial Administration, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Health, and also the minister of Justice and Human Rights and Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Mass Media,
The Secretary-General of the President of the Republic and the Governor of the Province of Luanda, are also members of the commission.
The document recommends that ministers appoint their respective representatives to work directly with the commission coordinator in order to fully accomplish the mission assigned to them.
The Funeral Commission is responsible for preparing the official program, as well as creating all the necessary conditions for the wake of the deceased statesman.
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, better known as Nandó, was born on March 5, 1950, and died on Thursday at the Girassol Clinic in Luanda, after an illness.
He joined the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in 1971 and, after the country’s independence on November 11, 1975, began his career in the Central Police Corps of Angola (CCPA), where he became a division chief in 1978.
Between 1982 and 1985, he served in the National Police. Later, he was appointed Vice-Minister of the Interior and head of the Information Services (SINFO), assuming strategic responsibilities in the area of security and intelligence.
In December 2002, he became Prime Minister, a role he held until 2008, in accordance with the Constitution in force at the time.
With the approval of the new Constitution in 2010, which annulled the position of Prime Minister. He was also appointed First Vice-President of the Republic of Angola, a position he held until 2012.
He served as Speaker of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2010 and again held the position between 2012 and 2022, in an act of consolidating his political influence and legislative leadership.
Fernando da Piedade “Nandó”, graduated in law from Agostinho Neto University in 2009, a factor that complemented his political experience with legal training.
His political and institutional career has marked the recent history of Angola, being recognized for his contribution to the development of the State and the consolidation of the country’s institutions.
Due to his achievements, he was decorated by the Head of State, João Lourenço, with the Independence class medal, as part of the 50th anniversary of National Independence, celebrated on November 11th this year.
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