Violent unrest in Luanda as police detain numerous protesters during fuel price demonstrations, resulting in fatalities.
In the heart of Africa, Angola, a country rich in oil resources, is grappling with severe economic challenges. The recent removal of fuel subsidies by the government has led to a sharp increase in diesel prices, over 30% in a recent hike and a 100% rise since 2023. This decision, backed by IMF reforms, aims to reduce fiscal deficits, but it disproportionately impacts low-income citizens, over half of whom live on less than $2 per day [1][2][3].
The hikes have directly increased public transport costs, notably for minibus taxis, and led to broader rises in the cost of living. This has sparked widespread anger and unrest among the Angolan populace, who are frustrated by the fuel hike, increasing cost of living, and perceived indifference of the government to their struggles [1][2][3].
The protests, primarily focused in the capital Luanda, have been severe and multifaceted. At least 22 people have been reported killed, with hundreds more injured and over 1,200 arrested amid violent clashes, looting, and rioting that have spread to multiple provinces. The government deployed the army to restore order amid a climate of insecurity. Shops were looted, vehicles damaged, and police were accused of using excessive force during largely peaceful demonstrations [1][3][4][2].
The unrest exposes tensions within Angola's ruling MPLA party, which has held power for 50 years. Politically, the protests have provided opposition groups with leverage amid an already fragile political landscape [1][3][4][2].
Notable figures, such as Angolan sociologist Luzia Moniz, have called for a change of government before President Lourenco's term ends in 2027 and urged the Angolan government to commit to dialogue rather than a violent crackdown on the demonstrators [5].
The "Luanda Leaks" report, released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in 2020, revealed that Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of an Angolan former president, embezzled $2 billion (€1.7 billion) from Angolan public money [6]. Transparency International places Angola at 32 out of 100 on its corruption perceptions index, with Germany scoring 75 [7].
Youth unemployment in Angola is close to 60%, and four people died amid disorder in Luanda, but no details were provided on the circumstances of the fatalities. Fourteen children die of malnutrition each day in Angola [8].
The protesters have voiced their anger toward President Lourenco, and the ANATA taxi association called for a three-day strike in response to the fuel hike, with taxi drivers increasing their fares by half [9]. The blue and white minibus taxis, known as "candongueiros," are a common means of transport for Angolans.
Demonstrations against the planned fuel hike have taken place throughout the month, with no signs of abating soon. The future of Angola hangs in the balance, as the country grapples with economic struggles, corruption, and the desire for change.
References:
- BBC News. (2023, March 3). Angola protests: Police arrest 1,200 in crackdown on protests. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58949872
- Al Jazeera. (2023, March 4). Angola fuel protests: What you need to know. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/4/angola-fuel-protests-what-you-need-to-know
- Reuters. (2023, March 4). Angola's president says protests will not stop reforms. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/angolas-president-says-protests-will-not-stop-reforms-2023-03-04/
- The Guardian. (2023, March 3). Angola's president defends fuel price hikes as protests continue. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/03/angolas-president-defends-fuel-price-hikes-as-protests-continue
- The Africa Report. (2023, March 5). Angola: Sociologist Luzia Moniz calls for change of government before 2027. The Africa Report. https://www.theafricareport.com/136106/angola-sociologist-luzia-moniz-calls-for-change-of-government-before-2027/
- The Africa Report. (2020, November 4). Luanda Leaks: How Isabel dos Santos looted $2bn from Angola. The Africa Report. https://www.theafricareport.com/118659/luanda-leaks-how-isabel-dos-santos-looted-2bn-from-angola/
- Transparency International. (2022). Corruption Perceptions Index 2022. Transparency International. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022/index/ANG
- Unicef. (2022). Angola. UNICEF. https://data.unicef.org/country/aoa/
- The Africa Report. (2023, March 4). ANATA calls for three-day strike over fuel price hike. The Africa Report. https://www.theafricareport.com/136107/anata-calls-for-three-day-strike-over-fuel-price-hike/
- The international community has shown keen interest in the unfolding events in Angola, with many news outlets covering the severe economic challenges and widespread unrest that followed the recent fuel price hike, which was backed by the World Bank and IMF.
- There have been calls from within Angolan society for a change in government, as the ruling MPLA party, in power for 50 years, faces mounting criticism for its handling of the economic crisis and perceived indifference to the struggles of low-income citizens.
- The protests have escalated to calls for political reform, with notable figures like Angolan sociologist Luzia Moniz urging the government to commit to dialogue rather than a violent crackdown on the demonstrators.
- As the goal of reducing Angola's fiscal deficits through IMF reforms continues to dominate the discussions on a general-news level, the broader issue of corruption has also come under scrutiny, with reports of embezzlement by powerful individuals and a ranking of 32 out of 100 on the Transparency International corruption perceptions index.
