Fuel hike spark protests and police crackdown in Angola

A fuel price hike has sparked mass protests and a police crackdown in Angola, leaving at least four people dead and resulting in over 500 arrests, police said, as reported by Africanews on July 29th.

On July 28^th, a three-day strike was called in Luanda in response to a government decision to increase diesel prices by 30%, which led to higher taxi fares.

Crowds joined the taxi drivers in the protest, escalating the movement to be one of largest anti-government demonstrations in Angola in recent years.

According to Novo Jornal, a local newspaper, law enforcement officers threw grenades and tear gas against protestors, and more than 40 stores were damaged.

During the two-day protest, tensions flared as clashes broke out between protestors and police.

The police announced that order had been restored in most parts of the city on July 29^th.

Local activist, Laura Macedo, told BBC news “The fuel price issue is just the last straw that has reignited widespread public discontent… People are fed up. Hunger is rife, and the poor are becoming miserable.”

The price increase is part of President João Lourenço’s effort to phase out fuel subsidies in the oil-rich nation, a move encouraged by the International Monetary Fund.

However, the decision has raised concerns that not only fuel but also food prices will rise, as higher transportation costs are passed on to consumers.

In 2024, the African Development Bank warned that soaring prices for essentials such as fuel, food, and electricity could trigger social unrest in several African countries, including Angola.

Authorities in Luanda say arrests will continue in the coming days. A spokesperson for Angola’s national police, Mateus Rodrigues said, “We have official channels for citizens to make reports, whether through social media, at police stations, or via officers on the streets.”

Earlier this month, similar demonstrations were held due to the fuel price increase. Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused law enforcement of using excessive force against what it described as a largely peaceful protest.

Angola’s security forces have faced repeated criticism for cracking down on protests. The country has been governed by the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975.

Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, HRW’s deputy Africa director, said “The police use of excessive force against peaceful protesters is part of broader security force problems in Angola.”

Africanews, Maghrebi.org