Africa-Press – Angola. The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, paid tribute, this Thursday, in Luanda, to the nationalist Rui Mingas, who died last Thursday, in Portugal, considering that his physical death impoverishes the country.
At the wake, held at the Army Headquarters, the Head of State wrote in the book of condolences about Rui Mingas’ achievements as a nationalist, sportsman, diplomat, deputy and rector of a private university.
He added that, on several fronts and in different roles, the deceased represented the country with talent and dignity, starting by raising the name of Angola in professional athletics and, from a very early age, established himself as a composer and singer, including the National Anthem, and as a symbol of resistance against colonial power.
João Lourenço recalled that already in independent Angola Rui Mingas held positions of political responsibility, having been deputy and Secretary of State for Physical Education and Sports.
Shortly before, after the National Anthem had been sung, the Head of State, accompanied by the First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, bowed before the urn containing the mortal remains of the unfortunate man and laid a wreath of flowers, conveying feelings of condolence to the widow and orphans.
In turn, the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, wrote in the book that Rui Mingas’ achievements in politics, diplomacy, sport and art transcend borders and make the country great.
He added that the departure of a nationalist of Rui Mingas’ stature leaves an insurmountable void.
The National Assembly said, in a eulogy, that the deputies bow to the memory of Rui Mingas for the work that continues for a fair and developed Angola.
In turn, ambassador Marcos Barrica highlighted that the deceased, as head of the diplomatic mission in Portugal, played a preponderant role in the prestige and good name of the “mother country”, in a context of great political transformation with the extinction of the Soviet Union and of German unification.
In the condolence message, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he highlighted the role played in that period of relative hostility against Angola in Portugal and the fact that he participated in the negotiations for the signing of the Bicesse peace agreements in 1991.
Rui Mingas, who died due to illness at the age of 84, will be buried on Friday, in the Alto das Cruzes cemetery, in the Angolan capital.
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