Brussels 29.07.2025 Police in Angola informed that four people have been killed and 500 have been arrested after demonstrations in the capital, Luanda.
They began as a three-day strike by taxi drivers against rising fuel prices, but subsequently escalated into one of the most significant and mass wave of protest the country has seen in recent years.
#Angola: Violence erupts in #Luanda as govt phases out fuel subsidies; taxi fares up 50%
Police arrest 100 as taxi driver protest turns violent https://t.co/OOCejEvDI3 via @News24_Business
Luanda experiences looting, barricades & confrontations with law enforcement… pic.twitter.com/KamH5qqCsR— ⚡️🌎 World News 🌐⚡️ (@ferozwala) July 29, 2025
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Thousands of people joined demonstrations in the capital on July 28, blocking the roads, looting the shops, burning cars. The clashes between demonstrators and police erupted. (Image above: social media)
Over 100 arrested in Angola as fuel price protests erupt into major unrest. Roads blocked, shops looted, and growing public anger over rising costs and government inaction. https://t.co/lj8oGzkZ2D pic.twitter.com/YTX34rSbgY
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) July 29, 2025
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Groups of protests continued to manifest their anger in the capital today, causing clashes with police and sporadic looting of shops.
The fuel price issue was a trigger for widespread public discontent in the context of the deterriorating economic, and social conditions.
The strike was called by taxi operators in response to the government’s decision to raise the price of diesel by over 33%, a measure introduced in earlear as part of strategy to remove fuel subsidies in an immensly rich with oil country.
"Nous ne voulons plus de Mr Joao Lurenco à la tête de notre pays. C'est un katangais et doit retourner dans son pays d'origine…" a déclaré un activiste angolais. pic.twitter.com/ktdTYaFkKv
— Ebale ya mozindo (@ebalemozindo) July 29, 2025
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The measure reflected on higher fares for urban Angolans who rely on the taxis, and it has also risen the price of staple foods and other basics – as suppliers who transport those goods by road are passing on their additional costs to consumers.
President João Lourenço has rejected the griviences, saying that protesters are using petrol prices as a pretext to undermine the government.
“Even after the increase, the price of diesel in Angola remains around 40 US cents [per litre], and there are not many countries in the world with prices this low,” the President said in the CNN Portugal interview.
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