Statement on the passing of Manuel Domingos Augusto (1957 - 2026)
5 June 2026
The Socialist International is deeply saddened by the passing of its Vice President from Angola, Manuel Domingos Augusto.
Born in Luanda, the capital of Angola, Manuel Augusto was an extremely gifted diplomat and distinguished politician, able to handle successfully the most difficult negotiations and foreign policy challenges.
He started his professional career as a journalist from 1976 to 1982. He moved to public service in 1982, working for the Secretary of Cooperation and then as senior advisor for the Minister of Commerce.
His big passion was diplomacy, and he started his career as ambassador to Nigeria between 1988 and 1992. He was the leader of the Angolan diplomatic mission to South Africa between 1992 and 1994 and ambassador to Zambia between 1994 and 1999.
In 1999, he returned to Angola to serve as Vice Minister of Social Communication until 2005. Then he returned to foreign policy as ambassador to Ethiopia and Angola’s representative to the African Union in Addis Ababa.
He was appointed Secretary of State for External Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2010, where he played a key role in shaping Angola’s foreign policy. As Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2017 until 2020, he had a very important role in his country’s integration into global economic networks, always supporting diversification and widening of trade and investment opportunities.
While very active in multinational fora, he strengthened Angola’s relations with both the European Union and the United States and was a precious contributor to efforts for regional stability.
Over the years, he had many important responsibilities in the MPLA, and at the time of his death, he was Secretary of International Relations of the Executive of the Party and elected Vice President of the Socialist International.
In the Socialist International, we will always remember his commitment, his deep knowledge of international affairs and wise contributions, his discreet personality with a sophisticated sense of humor, his deep love of his country, and his dedication to our common values. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the MPLA.
