Luís de Almeida

Luís de Almeida (1933 – 12 August 2020) served as the Angolan government's top diplomat to Europe during the 1980s. A career ambassador, he represented Angola in France, West Germany, Morocco, the Netherlands, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

Early life Born in Gabela-Amboim, province of Kwanza-Sul, Angola, José Luís de Almeida studied political science and sociology and became a prominent diplomat and advocate for Angolan independence. He was married and had four children.

Career Lauded as "one of the most prominent figures of Angolan diplomacy," and a passionate advocate for Angola in international forums, Luis de Almeida helped to establish Angolan relations with many countries in Africa and Europe. “He was one of our pioneers, who long before national independence understood that our fight also had a political and diplomatic path," said Angolan foreign minister Téte António. In a 1978 press conference in Brussels, Almeida announced that Belgium, Yugoslavia, and Italy had been chosen as initial sites for an Angolan presence in Europe. In December 1978 he became the first Angolan ambassador to be accredited to France and in 1985 he was appointed ambassador to West Germany.

From 2014 to 2018 he acted as permanent representative to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

Death Luis de Almeida died on 12 August 2020, at the age of 87.