Luanda, ANGOLA, November 7 - The devotion and dedication of gen. João de Matos to the Angola?s causes, with stress to the peace and national reconciliation, were highlighted Tuesday in Luanda by MPs, Government and court officials. ,

Speaking to journalists, the Parliament speaker, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, said that with the death of gen. João de Matos, Angola has lost one of its best sons who, since very early engaged in the struggle for national independence, sovereignty and territory integrity.

The Parliament leader was speaking at the mourning of the first chief of Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), who died Saturday of disease in Spain.

The ceremony was witnessed by president João Lourenço, representatives of various national sovereign organs and high ranking FAA and National Police officers.

According to Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, gen. João de Matos was an intelligent, brave and tireless soldier, always in solidarity towards his comrades and leaves behind a legacy to the younger and future generations, given his role in the country’s effort to attain and preserve peace.

 

The chief of the Audit Court said that gen.  João de Matos was a highly refined person, including in his relations with simple soldiers, and leaves behind a brilliant page in Angola’s history, of determination and courage.

In his turn, retired gen. António dos Santos França “Ndalu” said the late general was one of the people’s most beloved sons, a devoted soldier who made war to end the war.

Ndalu considers João de Matos one of the top builders of the national reconciliation, a process that started with the formation of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) of which he was the first chief of Staff.

 

 

Born in northern Uíge province on 30 May 1955, João de Matos joined the defunct armed wing of the present ruling MPLA party (FAPLA) in 1974 and trained and graduated in military sciences from the Military Academy of Frunze, former Soviet Union, from 1983 to 1987.  

In his military career, he held various positions, including those of commander of company, battalion, special forces, regional director of military intelligence and others.

 

His leadership was crucial to the victory over the then Unita rebel forces in the conflict that followed the country’s 1992 first multiparty election.

He reorganised the Army and changed strategies, emphasising the sustainability of the attacks rather than ferocity.

Gen. João de Matos was the founder and president of the Kissama Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose objective was the rehabilitation, conservation and development of the Angola fauna and flora.

Its first project was launched in 2010 under the Noah's Ark programme designed to restock the Kissama National Park with specimens from South Africa.

,

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.