At least 22 people have died since protests broke out in Angola over a recent fuel price increase, according to the country’s interior minister. Calm has now returned to Luanda, the capital city.
Protests turned deadly in Angola after the government raised fuel prices. The interior minister confirmed that 22 people lost their lives since Monday, July 28, following demonstrations that escalated into violence. The capital city, Luanda, is now reportedly calm.
On Monday and Tuesday, gunshots rang out across several cities including Luanda. Shops were broken into, and violent clashes occurred between protestors and the police. The chaos began with a strike by taxi drivers protesting the recent fuel hike.
Monday marked the first day of the taxi strike. Drivers were protesting the July 1 increase in fuel prices. Although Angola is rich in oil, many of its citizens live in poverty, and the hike has made life even harder.
The latest protests are considered some of the worst Angola has seen in years. The MPLA party, which has been in power since 1975, continues to govern amid growing public dissatisfaction.
The violence wasn’t limited to Luanda. Across the country, people stormed stores and clashed with security forces. Gunfire was heard in different parts of Angola.
Speaking to journalists after a government meeting, Interior Minister Manuel Homem expressed regret over the 22 deaths. One police officer was among the victims.
Homem also reported that nearly 200 people were injured in the clashes, and over 1,200 were taken into custody.
Looters targeted stores and storage facilities, stealing food and goods. Sixty-six businesses were damaged during the unrest.
Though the violence has subsided, the situation remains uneasy. Luanda’s streets were mostly empty, except for lines at petrol stations and heavy police patrols.
Shops remained closed, but some areas saw the return of buses and taxis after a two-day pause.
A government statement released after the meeting said the riots created widespread fear and accused criminals of turning peaceful protests into dangerous acts.
Authorities in Lubango revealed that police shot and killed a teenager who was reportedly trying to break into the MPLA party headquarters on Tuesday.
The taxi drivers’ strike is the latest of several demonstrations since the government raised fuel prices on July 1—from 300 to 400 kwanzas per litre—making fuel less affordable for ordinary Angolans.
