Luanda: The Congolese political party Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) released on Tuesday a statement expressing its “great sadness at the death of former Angolan Vice President and MPLA Political Bureau member Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos ‘Nandor.'”
According to Angola Press News Agency, the UDPS offered “our most sincere condolences to the MPLA, the family of the deceased, and all Angolans” in their statement. The party highlighted the former vice president’s dedication to his country and his significant contributions to ending the war in Angola and advancing the nation’s development.
The statement further expressed solidarity with the Angolan people, acknowledging the profound loss and wishing for the eternal peace of Vice-President Nand³’s soul. Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos “Nand³” passed away on the 18th of this month in Luanda, with his burial held on Monday at the Alto das Cruzes Cemetery in Luanda.
Nand³’s political career was marked by high-level government roles, including vice president and president of the National Assembly, where he played a pivotal role in reinforcing Angola’s democratic institutions. Born on March 5, 1950, he joined the MPLA in 1971 and embarked on a career in the People’s Police Corps of Angola (CPPA) post-independence in 1975, eventually becoming a division chief by 1978.
Between 1982 and 1995, he was instrumental in the founding of the Ministry of the Interior and occupied various key positions. His numerous roles included Minister of the Interior, Head of the Sectoral Political Directorate of Internal Order, and Commander-General of the National Police, among others.
In December 2002, Nand³ was appointed Prime Minister, a post he held until 2008, according to the then-current Constitution. With the adoption of a new constitution in 2010, which eliminated the prime minister position, he was appointed vice president of Angola, a position he maintained until 2012. He also served as Speaker of the National Assembly between 2008 and 2010, and again from 2012 to 2022, reinforcing his political clout and legislative leadership.