At least 22 people have been killed and 197 injured in violent protests that erupted across Angola this week following a controversial government decision to hike diesel fuel prices by one-third. The unrest, which began in the capital Luanda, quickly spread to at least six other provinces, prompting a military deployment to restore order.
The demonstrations were triggered by a three-day strike launched on Monday by taxi driver unions opposing the subsidy cut, which is part of the government’s broader economic reform agenda aimed at reducing public spending and aligning with IMF-backed fiscal policies.
What began as peaceful resistance soon escalated into scenes of chaos. Eyewitnesses and local media reported widespread looting, vandalism, and clashes with security forces. Gunfire was heard across Luanda and other cities throughout Monday and Tuesday, with shops ransacked and vehicles destroyed. The situation forced many residents to remain indoors as streets emptied under heavy police and military patrol.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Angolan presidency confirmed the death toll and stated that over 1,200 individuals had been detained. The unrest led to the destruction of 66 stores, 25 vehicles, and multiple warehouses. The government acknowledged the deployment of the army, describing the unrest as having created a “widespread climate of insecurity.”
Interior Minister Manuel Homem confirmed that one of the fatalities was a police officer. On Wednesday, President João Lourenço chaired an emergency cabinet meeting to assess the deteriorating security conditions and oversee the government’s response.
Despite a relative calm returning to the capital by midweek, Luanda remained tense. Public transportation resumed partially after a two-day halt, but many shops stayed shuttered. Long lines were seen outside a few open fuel stations and grocery stores, while security forces maintained a heavy presence in high-risk areas.
International watchdog Human Rights Watch condemned the government’s response, accusing security forces of using excessive force against demonstrators. According to the group, the protests were largely peaceful, yet met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and unprovoked physical assaults. This week’s crackdown mirrors similar events in 2023, when fuel price increases also sparked deadly protests.
Angola, a major oil producer on Africa’s Atlantic coast, has gradually removed fuel subsidies over the past two years as part of economic reforms. The government says the fuel subsidy amounted to 4% of GDP in 2024, straining public finances.
However, critics argue that the government’s reforms are divorced from the realities of daily life in a country plagued by inequality and soaring living costs. Opposition parties, including UNITA and the Democratic Bloc, issued a joint statement on Wednesday blaming the crisis on “out-of-touch policies” and calling the situation “a severe social and economic emergency.”
The ruling MPLA party, which has maintained power since independence in 1975, continues to face accusations of authoritarianism and suppressing dissent. Observers fear the recent wave of protests could signal deeper discontent brewing beneath Angola’s fragile economic recovery.
As pressure mounts domestically and internationally, all eyes are now on the Lourenço administration’s next steps — and whether it can balance fiscal reform with growing public frustration.
