The Mozambican government has decreed five days of national mourning, starting at 0.00 am today for the death of the former President of Angola José Eduardo dos Santos, who lost his life at the age of 79 on the 8th of this month in Barcelona, Spain, victim of illness.

The decision was taken last night, at an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers, which determined that during the mourning period, the flag and the presidential flag will be hoisted at half-mast throughout the national territory and at the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Mozambique.

According to the spokesperson for the extraordinary session, Ludovina Bernardo, the decision took into account the historical ties of brotherhood, friendship and mutual solidarity that exist between the peoples, governments and the two states, as well as the combined efforts for the liberation of the countries from colonial domination.

The extraordinary session also highlighted the role played by the former President of the Republic of Angola as one of the pioneers in founding the Southern African Development Community (SADC), promoting dialogue, stability, and peace among the peoples of the region.