In a message sent to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, João Lourenço stresses that, in the "unfortunate event", which creates "a void", "other important Iranian figures" also died.

"In the face of this unfortunate event, I want, on behalf of the Angolan executive and myself, to present to Your Excellency and to the Iranian people our most heartfelt condolences for the passing of this illustrious personality and his unfortunate companions, aware of the void they will leave in your country, to which they dedicated a large part of their lives, in defense of the noblest values of Iranian culture and of Iran's affirmation in the concert of nations as a prosperous and sovereign nation", highlights João Lourenço.

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, also presented condolences for the death of a "notable leader" of a country with whom Pretoria enjoys strong bilateral relations, the South African Presidency announced today.

"This is an unthinkable tragedy that has taken the life of a notable leader of a nation with whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations and that we had the honor of receiving in the BRICS group [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] in Johannesburg, in 2023", lamented the South African Head of State in a message sent to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In Nairobi, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, expressed his "deepest condolences to the people of Iran" following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, whom he described as a "fearless leader", and of the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

"President Raisi was a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant with a long and distinguished career in public service. He was a steadfast leader committed to the causes he believed in and sought to elevate Iran's standing on the world stage", stated Ruto on social media.

In the message, Ruto recalled Raisi's visit to Kenya on July 12, 2023, which was the first trip by an Iranian President to Africa in eleven years.

Other African leaders also lamented the death of Ebrahim Raisi and Hossein Amir-Aabdollahian, such as the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who expressed "shock and deep sadness" at the news.

In a statement released in Addis Ababa, Faki Mahamat "extends sincere condolences, sympathy and solidarity" to Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Government and the Iranian people "during this time of profound grief and loss".

The Presidents of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, of Gambia, Adama Barrow, and of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, issued similar messages of condolences.

Iranian rescue teams today recovered the remains of Ebrahim Raisi and the other eight passengers who were on the helicopter that crashed on Sunday in northwest Iran, the humanitarian organization Red Crescent announced.

The helicopter that was also carrying the Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, crashed in the Kalibar and Warzghan area, in the East Azerbaijan province, in the northwest of the country.

A few hours earlier, the Iranian Government confirmed the death of Raisi, adding that the disaster will not cause "any disruption in the administration" of the country.

Read Also: Thousands of Iranians pay tribute to Raisi in the streets of the country (Portuguese version)