Hundreds of arrests during deadly Angola fuel protests
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Fuel protests in Angola leave four dead, hundreds arrested as public outrage grows
Deadly Fuel Protests Rock Angola as Public Outrage Mounts
Omega TV UK – Luanda, Angola
Angola capital, Luanda, has witnessed a violent wave of unrest sparked by a taxi drivers fuel strike, with authorities confirming four deaths and over 500 arrests amid widespread public discontent.
What began as a peaceful three-day protest over surging fuel prices quickly escalated into one of the most intense periods of civil unrest Angola has seen in recent years. On Monday, thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets, blocking roads, damaging vehicles, looting shops, and clashing with police forces.
Gunfire reportedly echoed across several neighbourhoods by Monday night, as scattered protests continued into Tuesday. Unrest also spread to the central city of Huambo, where similar scenes of looting and confrontation with security forces unfolded.
Fuel Price Hike Ignites Deeper Frustrations
The protests originated from widespread frustration following a government decision to raise diesel prices by more than 33% earlier this month. The move, part of a broader plan to phase out fuel subsidies, has sharply increased transport fares and the cost of essential goods.
For many Angolans, who earn an average monthly wage of just $75 (around 70,000 kwanzas), the fuel hike has made daily life increasingly unbearable. A promised wage increase to 100,000 kwanzas has yet to materialise.
Speaking to Omega TV UK, civil activist Laura Macedo described the protests as a response to deeper socioeconomic hardships:
“This isn’t just about fuel. People are hungry, tired, and losing hope. The fare hikes were just the tipping point.”
Government Dismisses Protests as Politically Motivated
President João Lourenço, however, downplayed the outrage, stating that Angola’s diesel price remains among the world’s lowest around 40 US cents per litre. In an interview with CNN Portugal, he accused protest organisers of using the fuel issue as a smokescreen to undermine the government.
Meanwhile, the ruling MPLA party condemned the demonstrations, particularly those led by the youth, claiming that the unrest was an attempt to derail the country’s upcoming 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
State Response and Ongoing Tensions
Authorities in Luanda released a public statement expressing “deep concern” over what they called “deliberate acts of vandalism,” accusing unidentified groups of reviving the strike after initial talks between the government and taxi associations had supposedly led to a cancellation.
Major taxi union Anata denied involvement in the violence but insisted on continuing the strike, saying: “Our protest reflects the pain of the Angolan people.”
With most businesses, banks, and shops shuttered since Monday, the city remains tense. While some public employees have returned to work, private firms have advised workers to stay home due to safety concerns.
Police have vowed to maintain heavy patrols and respond to any further disruption. In a statement, they assured the public that they would act “firmly and swiftly to restore peace and normalcy.”
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