Angolan Statesman. He served as the 2nd President of Angola from September 21, 1979 to September 25, 2017. In 1961, he joined the militant movement, Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (or MPLA), which advocated for Angola's independence from Portugal. He was chosen by the movement to study in Moscow, where he trained as an engineer, specializing in the problems of the oil industry, an important sector of Angola's economy. He returned to Angola in 1970 and remained active with the MPLA, even after Angola gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. After MPLA gained control of the country's government later in 1975, he became the country's first prime minister and served in this position for three years until the post was eliminated. He went on to serve as planning minister until 1979, when President Agostinho Neto passed away. After Neto's passing, he became president and went on to serve in this position for the next four decades before stepping down in 2017. His tenure as president saw continued fighting with rival group UNITA, which continued until the passing of its leader Jonas Savimbi in 2002. Also, his administration became increasingly authoritarian over the four decades he ruled the country.
Angolan Statesman. He served as the 2nd President of Angola from September 21, 1979 to September 25, 2017. In 1961, he joined the militant movement, Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (or MPLA), which advocated for Angola's independence from Portugal. He was chosen by the movement to study in Moscow, where he trained as an engineer, specializing in the problems of the oil industry, an important sector of Angola's economy. He returned to Angola in 1970 and remained active with the MPLA, even after Angola gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. After MPLA gained control of the country's government later in 1975, he became the country's first prime minister and served in this position for three years until the post was eliminated. He went on to serve as planning minister until 1979, when President Agostinho Neto passed away. After Neto's passing, he became president and went on to serve in this position for the next four decades before stepping down in 2017. His tenure as president saw continued fighting with rival group UNITA, which continued until the passing of its leader Jonas Savimbi in 2002. Also, his administration became increasingly authoritarian over the four decades he ruled the country.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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