The people and governments of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region have received with deep sorrow, the sad news of the passing of His Excellency, José Eduardo dos Santos, former President of the Republic of Angola.
The late former President who passed away on 8th July, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, served as the second Head of State of the Republic of Angola, for a period of over 30 years, and contributed greatly to the liberation of Angola and the Southern African region.
Throughout his life, H.E. former President Dos Santos believed that peace and security were key to the economic development and prosperity of the region. In this regard, he supported efforts to sustain peace and security in Africa, including supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo against armed rebel groups and negative forces that threatened DRC’s peace and security. He also contributed to the fight against the apartheid system in South Africa, paving the way for the independence of South Africa and Namibia, the two countries that were later integrated as members of the SADC in April 1994 and March 1990, respectively.
As a skilful diplomat, he always believed in the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts in the SADC region. With him goes the voice of a peacemaker who always advocated the African Union founding principle of African solutions to African problems, and defended the political and economic freedom of the continent.
The late former President, H.E. Dos Santos was among the leaders from the inception of SADC and its forerunner, the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), and an ardent believer in regional cooperation and SADC’s integration agenda. He served as the Chairperson of SADC between 2002-2003 and 2011-2012, where he rallied his fellow SADC Heads of State and Government to accelerate efforts towards achieving the SADC regional integration and development agenda, while promoting peace and security.
As we remember this great statesman, his life of dedicated service and fighting for a noble and just cause should serve as an example to all of us, and especially the youth of the SADC region. Through his commitment and courage, which he demonstrated from his youthful years, he rose through the ranks in Angolan politics to become the president of his country and, ultimately benefitted the entire SADC region.
On behalf of SADC and indeed on my own behalf, we extend our heartfelt condolences to His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, the family, friends and comrades of H.E. former President Dos Santos, and the people of Angola on this great loss.
The SADC region will forever be indebted to H.E. former President Dos Santos for his service and contribution to regional integration and socio-economic development of SADC. May his legacy live on for generations to come. And may his soul rest in eternal peace.
His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI AND CHAIRPERSON OF SADC
14th July, 2022
