José Eduardo dos Santos (born August 28, 1942, in Luanda, Angola, and died July 8, 2022, in Barcelona, Spain) was a prominent Angolan politician who served as the President of Angola from 1979 to 2017. Dos Santos's presidency spanned nearly four decades, making him one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. His tenure was marked by both economic growth and significant controversy, including allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.

Dos Santos was born into a modest family and was educated in Luanda before moving to Portugal for further studies. He became involved in political activism against Portuguese colonial rule and joined the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a Marxist-Leninist party fighting for Angolan independence. The MPLA, under his leadership, eventually succeeded in gaining Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975.

As President, dos Santos initially focused on consolidating power and stabilizing the country following its independence. His administration was marked by efforts to rebuild Angola’s economy, which had been devastated by years of war. Dos Santos implemented various economic reforms and worked to exploit the country’s significant oil reserves, which became a major source of revenue for the Angolan government. Despite this economic progress, his presidency was also characterized by widespread corruption and a lack of political freedom. Opposition parties were often suppressed, and elections were frequently marred by allegations of fraud and irregularities.

Throughout his presidency, dos Santos maintained a strong grip on power, frequently extending his term in office through elections that were criticized for their lack of transparency. His rule saw significant economic disparities and a concentration of wealth among a small elite, leading to widespread criticism from both domestic and international observers.

In 2017, dos Santos stepped down from the presidency and was succeeded by João Lourenço, who was initially seen as a reformer but faced similar challenges in addressing the legacy of dos Santos's long rule. Dos Santos remained a significant figure in Angolan politics even after his presidency, and his departure from power did not completely resolve the issues facing the country.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Eduardo_dos_Santos