A strike by taxi unions in Angola's capital, Luanda, has tragically escalated into one of the most violent episodes of unrest the country has seen in years, resulting in a significant loss of life and a large-scale security crackdown. According to the Angolan presidency, at least 22 people, including a police officer, have been killed. This somber toll is accompanied by a staggering number of injuries and arrests, with reports indicating that over "200 people have been injured and more than 1,200 arrested" during the demonstrations.
The protests, which initially began as a genuine strike, were a direct response to a 33 per cent fuel price increment introduced in early July. This policy was part of President João Lourenço's administration's efforts to phase out government subsidies, a move reportedly "encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)." The decision comes at a precarious time for Angola, which is grappling with significant "economic challenges owing to falling oil prices and $9 billion in external debt repayments due in 2025." While the taxi unions have since distanced themselves from the violence, the initial demonstration quickly spiraled into a series of destructive acts marked by "widespread vandalism, mass looting and destruction of property."
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In the wake of the violence, the Angolan presidency issued a statement on Facebook, condemning the incidents and describing them as having been "infiltrated by criminal elements." The government also provided a detailed account of the damage, stating that "66 shops and 25 vehicles were vandalised, and several supermarkets and warehouses were looted." President Lourenço has previously downplayed the root cause of the protests, maintaining that demonstrators were using the issue as a "pretext to destabilise the government."
Echoing this sentiment, Interior Minister Manuel Homem announced on Wednesday that while security forces remain on "high alert to prevent further disturbances," the situation had been "stabilised." The protests, however, were not confined to the capital. According to Homem, the unrest also impacted the provinces of "Luanda, Huambo, Benguela and Huíla," highlighting the national scope of the discontent. On Wednesday, the atmosphere in Luanda remained tense and mostly deserted, with "only a few queues forming outside petrol stations and some shops," as security forces maintained a heavy presence across the city.
