Angola begins post-dos Santos era as Lourenco is officially sworn in

Angola’s Joao Lourenco has officially been sworn-in as third post-independent president of the former Portuguese colony. The former Defense Minister took over from long-serving Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The event which took place at the Republic Square in the capital Luanda, saw Lourenco take his oath in the presence of over 20 heads of state and government.

Dos Santos in 2016 announced that he was going to step down as president. He stuck to his words and the ruling MPLA picked Lourenco as its leader going into the August 23 elections. The final results of which MPLA got a little over 61%.

Profile: Angola’s Eduardo dos Santos – Guerilla fighter to democratic president

#Angola‘s has a new President Joao Lourenco for the first time in 38 years. The former defence minister succeeds Eduardo dos Santos.

— Bert Egbe (@realBertEgbe) September 26, 2017

We have a new president in Angola.

— Douglas Black (@DouglasBlack17) September 26, 2017

Here are key facts is all you need to know about today’s historic ceremony taking place in the capital Luanda.

Angola’s last swearing-in ceremony was held on the same day five years ago – i.e. September 26, 2012, it, however, happened to be a Wednesday.

The venue also remains the same – it took place at the Republic Square in the capital Luanda. The ground is adjacent a memorial in honour of the country’s first president, Antonio Agostinho Neto.

The president-elect, Joao Lourenco, swore by the Angolan Constitution. Rui Ferreira, president of the Constitutional Court delivered the oath.

Over 20 heads of states and government representatives are already in the country to participate in the event.