Jose Leitao da Costa e Silva

Former Minister in the Office of the Presidency

Date of Birth: 12/01/1951
Place of Birth: Golungo-Alto, Cuanza Norte

Career: Director, Information Ministers's Office, 1976; General Manager, EPTEL (State Telecommunications), 1976-81; Deputy Director, President's Office, 1984-88; chef de cabinet, MPLA President's Office, 1986-88; Secretary for Legal Affairs, President's Office, 1983-88; Secretary of State, Minister's Council, 1988-92; Minister in the Office of the President, 1992-2004; Director, Grupo Gema; 2005 to date.

Education: Liceu Salvador Correia, Luanda, 1961-69; Legal Studies, Lisbon, Portugal, 1971-75; BA, Law, Lisbon University, 1982.

Commentary: Jose Leitao has grown more influential. He cuts a rather forbidding figure, chomping on a Cuban cigar and exuding political might. An MPLA loyalist, he served his political apprenticeship in information and communications. Since the mid-80s he has worked closely with President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.