Africa-Press – Angola. The former President of the Republic of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, was posthumously awarded the Class of Honor Medal on Thursday, as part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of National Independence.
He received the medal given by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, to his son Danilo dos Santos.
The distinction recognizes the historical role of the statesman in consolidating national sovereignty and post-war reconstruction.
José Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled Angola for 38 years, is considered one of the most striking figures in the country’s contemporary history.
Born in Luanda, on August 28, 1942, he was the son of Eduardo Avelino dos Santos and Jacinta José Paulino.
He graduated in Petroleum Engineering at the Baku Oil and Gas Institute, in the then Soviet Union, where he also received political and ideological training.
He joined the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) at a young age, performing diplomatic duties during the period of the national liberation struggle.
After the Independence of Angola, proclaimed on November 11, 1975, he assumed the positions of Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the MPLA Political Bureau.
With the death of President Agostinho Neto, in 1979, José Eduardo dos Santos was elected President of the Republic and leader of the MPLA, roles he held until 2017, becoming one of the longest-serving heads of state in Africa.
During his mandate, he led the country through periods of war and peace, having been a protagonist in the process that led to the end of the armed conflict in 2002 and the signing of the Peace Agreement that put an end to almost three decades of civil war.
After the cessation of hostilities, he guided policies of national reconstruction and economic growth, mainly based on oil exploration and major infrastructure works.
Many Angolans recognize him as the “President of Peace”, for stabilizing the country and for its transition to the period of post-war prosperity.
Among the distinctions he received during his lifetime, the Order of Agostinho Neto and the Order of Amílcar Cabral (Cabo Verde) stand out.
The Class of Honor Medal, awarded in 2025, reinforces the recognition of the Angolan State for its contribution to the nation.
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