At least four people were killed and hundreds arrested during protests against a fuel price hike in Angola‘s capital, Luanda. The protests erupted in response to the government’s decision to raise the price of diesel by 30%, which led to large hikes in fares by minibus taxis, an important method of transport for many Angolans.
Gunfire could be heard in central Luanda’s Cazenga area, where people were seen taking food and other items from shops. Social media images showed clashes in the Rocha Pinto suburb near the airport, as well as in the Prenda area. Police said in a statement on Tuesday that hundreds of arrests were made in connection with rioting, vandalism, and looting of shops. Cars and buses were damaged, and roads were blocked.
The government’s decision to raise heavily subsidized fuel prices from 300 to 400 kwanzas ($0.33 to $0.44) per liter has caused widespread anger in Angola, one of Africa’s top oil producers, where many people live in poverty. Minibus taxi associations, which in turn hiked their fares by up to 50%, launched a three-day strike to protest the move beginning on Monday.
“We are tired… they must announce something for things to change… for us to live in better conditions,” a protester told Angola’s TV Nzinga. “Why do you make us suffer like this? How will we feed our children? The prices have to go down,” a woman said, addressing President Joao Lourenco.
Deputy Commissioner Mateus Rodrigues told reporters in a briefing about Monday’s violence that the police “currently report four deaths”. He did not specify how they occurred. Police arrested 400 people overnight for suspected involvement in the unrest after arresting 100 on Monday, Rodrigues said. About 45 shops were vandalized, while 25 private vehicles and 20 public buses were damaged, he added.
Human Rights Watch said police had used excessive force in a July 12 protest, including firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Angola has been gradually cutting fuel subsidies since 2023, when protests over a petrol price hike also turned deadly.
The protests in Angola highlight the challenges faced by the government in implementing economic reforms, particularly in a country where many people struggle to make ends meet. The fuel price hike has had a significant impact on the lives of many Angolans, and the government’s response to the protests will be closely watched.
In a broader context, the situation in Angola reflects the complexities of economic development in Africa, where many countries are grappling with the challenges of poverty, inequality, and economic growth. The outcome of the protests and the government’s response will have significant implications for the country’s future.