Hunger-striking Angolan pleads with Portugal president

By Marcie Veiga

An Angolan activist living in Portugal who is calling for the country's president to send observers to Angola ahead of its next election has resumed a hunger strike, after being treated in hospital for extreme dizziness.

Tomás Kissamá has returned to the Portuguese parliament, where he has been for the past 18 days, in solidarity with Angola. 

“Portugal has a say and can play an extraordinary role for Angola,” he told the BBC.

“[President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa] needs to understand the desperation we Angolans feel and provide aid. I’m ready - and willing - to stay as long as necessary for a response,” he said.

He is urging fellow Angolans in the diaspora to follow suit. 

"No matter where a person goes, they never forget their home."

Mr Kissamá has been on hunger strike following the comments made by Angola's President João Lourenço about "hunger being relative".

The article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Tomas Kassama