Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fernando da Piedade Dias
dos Santos |
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| President of the National Assembly | |
| In office 27 September 2012 – 15 September 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Paulo Kassoma |
| Succeeded by | Carolina Cerqueira |
| In office 30 September 2008 – 9 February 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Roberto Francisco de Almeida |
| Succeeded by | Paulo Kassoma |
| Vice President of Angola | |
| In office 18 February 2010 – 26 September 2012 |
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| President | José Eduardo dos Santos |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Vicente |
| Prime Minister of Angola | |
| In office 6 December 2002 – 30 September 2008 |
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| President | José Eduardo dos Santos |
| Preceded by | F. J. de F. Dias Van-Dúnem (1999) |
| Succeeded by | Paulo Kassoma |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office 29 January 1999 – 6 December 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Santana André Pitra |
| Succeeded by | O. de J. Serra Van-Dúnem |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 March 1950 Luanda, Portuguese Angola |
| Died | 18 December 2025 (aged 75) |
| Political party | MPLA |
| Spouse | Maria Tomé Dias dos Santos |
| Children | 7 |
| Alma mater | Agostinho Neto University |
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos (born March 5, 1950 – died December 18, 2025), often called Nandó, was an important politician from Angola. He held many high-ranking positions in his country's government. He was the first Vice President of Angola, served as Prime Minister, and was also the President of the National Assembly (which is like Angola's parliament) two times. He played a big role in Angolan politics for many years.
Early Life and Education
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos was born in Luanda, which was then called Portuguese Angola, on March 5, 1950. His parents had moved to Angola from São Tomé and Príncipe. He was also a cousin of former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos. In 2009, he earned a law degree from Agostinho Neto University in Angola.
Political Career Highlights
In 1971, Piedade joined a political group called the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). After Angola became independent from Portugal in 1975, he started working in the country's police force. By 1978, he was leading a division.
In 1981, he moved to the Ministry of the Interior, which handles internal affairs and security. He became a Deputy Minister there in 1984. The next year, he was chosen to be part of an important MPLA party meeting and was given the military rank of colonel. He later became a member of the People's Assembly, which is Angola's parliament. From then on, he held many important jobs in the government.
He served as the Minister of the Interior starting in 1999. Then, in November 2002, he was chosen to be the Prime Minister. He officially started this role on December 6, 2002. The job of Prime Minister had been empty for three years before he took it.
In the September 2008 election, Piedade was one of the candidates for the MPLA party. The MPLA won by a large amount, and Piedade became a member of the National Assembly.
After the 2008 election, the main leaders of the MPLA party decided that Piedade should become the President of the National Assembly. This happened on September 26, 2008. They also chose Paulo Kassoma to take over Piedade's role as Prime Minister. On September 30, the new members of the National Assembly officially started their jobs, and Piedade was elected as their President. He received 211 votes in favor.
On January 21, 2010, the National Assembly approved new rules for the country. These rules changed how the president's job worked, removed the role of prime minister, and changed the way the president was chosen. Piedade said this was a "very important moment" for the National Assembly. President dos Santos then appointed Piedade to the new job of Vice-President of Angola on February 3, 2010. Because he had been a trusted and important helper to President dos Santos for a long time, many thought he might be the next leader. However, President dos Santos had already been chosen as the MPLA candidate for president in 2012, showing he did not plan to stop being president yet.
In 2012, Manuel Vicente, who used to lead the state oil company Sonangol, was chosen by the President to likely be the next leader. Vicente was chosen as the second person on the MPLA's list of candidates for parliament, meaning he would become Vice-President. After the MPLA won the 2012 election, Vicente officially became Vice President on September 26, 2012, taking over from Piedade. The very next day, on September 27, 2012, Piedade was again elected as President of the National Assembly.
Personal Life and Passing
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos was married to Maria Tomé Dias dos Santos. They had seven children together. He passed away on December 18, 2025, at the age of 75.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos para niños
