Angola unrest death toll rises to 30
Dozens of shops and warehouses in Luanda were looted and vehicles attacked on Monday and Tuesday when a strike against a fuel price hike descended into some of the worst violence in the oil-rich country in years.
The unrest spread to several provinces and police said that by late Thursday they had confirmed 30 deaths, including of a police officer, with more than 270 people injured, among them 10 members of the defence and security forces.
The police did not say what caused the deaths but civil society groups and opposition parties blamed the security forces, who are regularly accused of using excessive force against demonstrators.
In his first public comment on the situation, Lourenco said "law enforcement acted within the framework of their obligations and therefore the order was promptly restored".
"We send our thanks to the law enforcement, the justice authorities, the health professionals...," he said.
More than 1,500 people were arrested, 118 businesses vandalised and 24 public buses attacked, according to police.
"We strongly condemn such criminal acts, we regret the loss of human lives...," the president said, announcing the government would help looted businesses to replenish their stocks.
- 'Defenceless' -
Lourenco, from the MPLA party in power since independence from Portugal in 1975, made no mention of the July 1 hike in heavily subsidised fuel prices that has led to a series of demonstrations in a country with a high level of poverty despite its vast oil wealth.
The state is "doing its best" to address Angola's social problems, he said, citing investments in health, education, housing and job creation.
Opposition and civic groups also condemned the vandalism but accused security forces of using excessive force.
The looting reflects "the hunger and extreme poverty affecting the majority of Angolans", said the Human Rights Monitoring Working Group of various NGOs late Thursday.
The "legitimate expressions of the population's indignation should not be used as justification to kill defenceless people," it said.
The platform urged Lourenco to order the security forces to "refrain from killing defenceless people" and create an independent commission to investigate the killings as well as compensation for the families of the victims.
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eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
Angola unrest death toll rises to 30
LUANDA - Angolan President Joao Lourenco praised security forces Friday for quelling unrest that claimed 30 lives over two days but rights groups accused them of killing "defenceless people". Dozens of shops and warehouses in Luanda were looted and vehicles attacked on Monday and Tuesday when a strike against a fuel price hike descended into some of the worst violence in the oil-rich country in years. The unrest spread to several provinces and police said that by late Thursday they had confirmed 30 deaths, including of a police officer, with more than 270 people injured, among them 10 members of the defence and security forces. The police did not say what caused the deaths but civil society groups and opposition parties blamed the security forces, who are regularly accused of using excessive force against demonstrators. In his first public comment on the situation, Lourenco said "law enforcement acted within the framework of their obligations and therefore the order was promptly restored". "We send our thanks to the law enforcement, the justice authorities, the health professionals...," he said. More than 1,500 people were arrested, 118 businesses vandalised and 24 public buses attacked, according to police. "We strongly condemn such criminal acts, we regret the loss of human lives...," the president said, announcing the government would help looted businesses to replenish their stocks. - 'Defenceless' - Lourenco, from the MPLA party in power since independence from Portugal in 1975, made no mention of the July 1 hike in heavily subsidised fuel prices that has led to a series of demonstrations in a country with a high level of poverty despite its vast oil wealth. The state is "doing its best" to address Angola's social problems, he said, citing investments in health, education, housing and job creation. Opposition and civic groups also condemned the vandalism but accused security forces of using excessive force. The looting reflects "the hunger and extreme poverty affecting the majority of Angolans", said the Human Rights Monitoring Working Group of various NGOs late Thursday. The "legitimate expressions of the population's indignation should not be used as justification to kill defenceless people," it said. The platform urged Lourenco to order the security forces to "refrain from killing defenceless people" and create an independent commission to investigate the killings as well as compensation for the families of the victims.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Angola fuel protests leave 22 dead amid nationwide unrest
The Angolan government confirmed 22 fatalities and 197 injuries as violent protests swept the country this week. The crisis began on 28 July 2025 when diesel prices increased from 300 to 400 kwanzas (R5.93-7.90) per litre. This hike triggered a three-day nationwide taxi strike that quickly escalated. Protests spread rapidly from Luanda to at least six provinces. Reports of looting and violent confrontations with security forces emerged nationwide. Police and military were heavily deployed, and sporadic gunfire echoed through major cities. Interior Minister Manuel Homem confirmed that one police officer was among the dead. Security forces arrested over 1,200 people and documented damage to 66 shops and 25 vehicles. The presidency described the unrest as a 'climate of widespread insecurity,' highlighting the crisis's severity. The diesel price increase comes amid worsening economic conditions. Angola's inflation rate neared 20% in June, while the unemployment rate remains below 30%. According to the Ministry of Finance, fuel subsidies previously consumed approximately 4% of the country's GDP. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has encouraged Angola to reduce subsidies to redirect funds towards health and education. President João Lourenço defended the reforms as necessary for fiscal discipline and alignment with global economic standards. However, as of 2025, Angola's national minimum wage remains below $75 (R1 350) per month, depending on the sector, with many informal workers earning significantly less. Many citizens feel the reforms have deepened economic hardship. This frustration has spilt into the streets, where protests reflect mounting public anger over stagnant reforms and deteriorating living standards. Opposition parties, including the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and Bloco Democrático, blamed government policies for triggering the crisis. Both described the situation as a 'severe economic and social crisis.' Human Rights Watch accused police of excessive force during earlier peaceful protests. Civil society organisations criticised the government for arresting protest organisers and demanding accountability. The Angolan National Association of Taxi Operators (ANATA) called for a strike protesting fuel price increases and distanced itself from the vandalism and looting. Activists warned of 'social exhaustion,' especially among youth with limited opportunities. Local media documented grieving families and looted supermarkets in Luanda, capturing the human toll of the unrest. As tensions continue, security forces patrol Luanda's streets while public transport gradually resumes after a two-day halt. Many shops remain closed, and long queues formed at petrol stations amid ongoing uncertainty. The ruling People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party cautioned young people against joining protests during Angola's upcoming 50th independence celebrations. Meanwhile, state-controlled media faced criticism for initially downplaying the demonstrations. Investors are watching Angola's subsidy reforms closely as a test of the country's fiscal responsibility. Yet, the presidency has not announced immediate relief measures or dialogue initiatives with protest leaders. Observers suggest Angola's urgent challenge lies in balancing economic reform with maintaining social stability. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Death toll from Angolan fuel hike protests rises to 22, says government
Angola's government said on Wednesday the death toll from violent protests against a fuel price hike has risen to 22 from the previous day's estimate of four. The unrest broke out on Monday when minibus taxi associations launched a three-day strike against a government decision to increase the price of diesel by one-third, part of efforts to curb costly subsidies and shore up public finances. Looting, vandalism and clashes with police started in the capital Luanda, then spread to other provinces. President Joao Lourenco's cabinet met on Wednesday and received an update on the security situation and police response. A presidency statement said there had been 22 deaths, 197 people injured and 1,214 arrests. Sixty-six shops and 25 vehicles had been vandalised, and some supermarkets and warehouses looted, the statement said.
