At least four people have lost their lives and hundreds more have been arrested following violent protests sparked by a sharp increase in fuel prices in Angola. The unrest, which began on Monday, escalated into widespread looting and gunfire in the capital, Luanda, with scenes of chaos continuing into Tuesday.
The turmoil was triggered by a strike led by taxi drivers opposing the government’s decision to raise the price of subsidised petrol from 300 to 400 kwanzas per litre. The move, introduced on July 1, has been met with widespread anger in a country where many struggle to meet basic needs despite Angola being a major oil producer.
In Luanda, major roads were blocked, shops were shuttered, and public transportation was brought to a halt. Reports from the Cazenga district revealed heavy looting and the sound of gunshots. Protesters also set up makeshift roadblocks using burning trash in the Prenda neighborhood, as tensions flared between demonstrators and security forces.
Clashes were also reported near the airport in Rocha Pinto, with videos circulating on social media showing police in riot gear trying to control crowds. By Tuesday, authorities had arrested more than 400 people suspected of involvement in the violence, with 100 detained the previous day.
Angola’s police described the situation as “isolated incidents of disorder” and confirmed the deaths without disclosing the circumstances. According to police sources, around 45 businesses were vandalized, while dozens of vehicles, including 20 public buses, were damaged. Some banks were also reportedly attacked.
Frustrated citizens have called on President João Lourenço’s government to take urgent action. One protester speaking to local TV said, “We’re tired of the suffering. How can we survive when prices keep going up?”
The government has not issued an official response to the fatalities or the scale of the destruction as of the time of this report.
The fuel price hike is part of a broader effort to scale back subsidies and manage national finances, but it appears to have struck a nerve in a population already grappling with economic hardship.
