LUANDA (Realist English). At least 22 people were killed and more than 1,200 arrested in Angola following violent protests sparked by the government’s decision to remove diesel subsidies and raise fuel prices by over 30%, President João Lourenço’s office confirmed on Wednesday.
The unrest, which began on Monday in the capital Luanda, quickly spread to six other provinces. According to an official statement from the presidency, 197 people were injured and dozens of businesses were looted during two days of chaos. Minibus taxi fares — a vital mode of transport for ordinary Angolans — surged by as much as 50% in response to the price hike, fuelling public anger.
The government deployed the army to restore order, saying the riots had “triggered a climate of widespread insecurity.” The statement did not specify how the fatalities occurred.
Protests against fuel price increases first broke out two weeks ago. Human Rights Watch accused Angolan police of excessive force during earlier demonstrations, including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and physical assaults against peaceful protesters.
Despite being one of Africa’s top oil producers, Angola lacks sufficient refining capacity, forcing it to import diesel and gasoline at high international prices. The subsidy removal was part of a broader government plan to reduce spending — but it has deepened tensions in a country already struggling with inflation and a long-standing concentration of power.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has governed the country since independence from Portugal in 1975 and has faced repeated criticism for its heavy-handed approach to dissent.
