aVientiane: Politburo member and President of the National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane passed away at 11:18 on August 8, 2026, at the age of 70 due to vasculitis, according to an official announcement from the Party Central Committee.

According to Lao News Agency, Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane was one of the core leaders of the Party Central Committee, possessing great knowledge, capability, and astuteness, with extensive leadership experience across local administrations and multiple sectors.

His leadership was marked by a lifelong dedication to the revolutionary cause of the Party, nation development, and the well-being and prosperity of the multi-ethnic Lao people. His passing is considered an immense loss for the Party, the State, and the people of Laos.

In this time of deep grief and profound sorrow, the entire Party, State, armed forces, officials, Party members, and the entire Lao nation are urged to transform their grief and affection for Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane into strength. The call is to stand united as one around the Party Central Committee, promote the nation's and Party's traditions, and continue to implement the Party's renovation policy toward the socialist goal.

To honor his contributions and express deepest condolences, the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government of the Lao PDR, and the Lao Front for National Development have declared a national mourning period of five days, from August 8 to August 12, 2026, at the National Convention Centre. The official funeral service will take place on August 12, 2026, at That Luang Esplanade (Sanam Luang).