Also known as: President João Lourenço · President Lourenço · Angolan counterpart · Angolan president João Lourenço
President of Angola who declared his country in a "race against the clock" during April 2026 flooding crisis.
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The Namibian
João Lourenço hosted the African Union's 21st extraordinary session in Luanda
“The summit, hosted by Angolan president João Lourenço in Luanda, was held under the theme 'Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa'.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah pushes African-funded peace planInformanté
Angolan President João Lourenço hosted the summit in Luanda, Angola
“The summit, hosted by Angolan President João Lourenço, was held under the theme, "Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa."”
Nandi-Ndaitwah backs greater African ownership of peace effortsInformanté
President João Lourenço met Pope Leo XIV in Angola
“He prayed for victims of recent flooding in Benguela Province and expressed closeness with those who lost homes.”
Pope Leo XIV preaches peace, rebukes corruption and war spendingThe Namibian
President João Lourenço mourned the deaths
“President João Lourenço mourned the deaths, saying the country was in a "race against the clock" to find, rescue and offer medical care to those affected.”
Dozens killed as Angola flood death toll risesThe Namibian
Lourenço said the government will provide help to victims through mobilised state agencies
“He says the government will provide help to the victims through the different state agencies that have been mobilised to deal with the crisis.”
Dozens killed as Angola flood death toll risesNew Era
President Joao Lourenco has said the country faces a "race against the clock" to find, rescue and provide medical care to those affected
“President Joao Lourenco has said the country faces a "race against the clock" to find, rescue and provide medical care to those affected.”
Angola flooding death toll rises to 30The Namibian
Angolan president João Lourenço chaired the European Union–African Union summit in Luanda
“At the European Union–African Union summit held in Luanda from 24 to 25 November, under Angolan president João Lourenço's chairmanship, a declaration was adopted that hit a nerve in the American administration.”
Angola’s president plays both sides: American billions vs European reliabilityThe Namibian
Lourenço met with deputy secretary of state Richard Landau on 2 December
“On 2 December, Lourenço flew to the US –ostensibly to discuss infrastructure and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)–Rwanda peace agreement. But he met not with Trump, but with deputy secretary of state Richard Landau.”
Angola’s president plays both sides: American billions vs European reliabilityThe Namibian
João Lourenço took over as president in 2017 from José Eduardo dos Santos
“There had been some hope that João Lourenço, who in 2017 took over as president from José Eduardo dos Santos, 36 years in power, would change things.”
‘The hungry can't stay silent' – behind deadly protests in oil-rich AngolaThe Namibian
João Lourenço condemned the protests as acts committed by irresponsible citizens manipulated by anti-patriotic organisations
“He condemned the protests as "acts committed by irresponsible citizens, manipulated by anti-patriotic national and foreign organisations through social media, bringing mourning, destruction of public and private property, reduced access to essential goods and services, and job losses for Angolans".”
‘The hungry can't stay silent' – behind deadly protests in oil-rich AngolaPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the African Union's 21st extraordinary session in Luanda, where African leaders renewed calls for the continent to take greater financial responsibility for its own peace and security priorities rather than relying on external funding.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the African Union's 21st extraordinary session in Luanda, where African leaders renewed calls for the continent to take greater financial responsibility for its own peace and security priorities rather than relying on external funding.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has returned from an African Union summit in Angola where leaders emphasised strengthening Africa's capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts and finance its own peace and security priorities. The summit adopted an action plan linking continental activities to required financial resources and underscored the need for African governments to take greater responsibility for peace initiatives rather than depend on external support.
31 August 2026 · Informanté →
Pope Leo XIV, on a four-country African tour, called Africa a "reserve of joy and hope" and urged leaders to abandon corruption and wasteful war spending while respecting human rights. During his Angola visit, he met President João Lourenço, prayed for victims of recent flooding, and reiterated his message of interfaith dialogue and youth engagement.
19 April 2026 · Informanté →
Heavy rains in recent days have caused flooding in Luanda, Benguela, and other Angolan cities, killing at least 39 people and affecting over 51,000 people. The floods have damaged thousands of homes and critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, and utilities, prompting President João Lourenço to declare the country in a "race against the clock" to rescue and aid those affected.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Heavy rains across Angola have killed more than 30 people, with the worst damage in the central city of Benguela where 23 died and infrastructure was damaged. President Joao Lourenco described the disaster as a "race against the clock" for rescue and medical response efforts.
8 April 2026 · New Era →