At least 22 people have been killed and over 1,200 arrested in Angola as violent protests erupted nationwide in response to a sharp hike in diesel prices. Authorities say the unrest, which began on Monday, has since escalated into one of the country’s deadliest episodes of public dissent in recent years. The protests were sparked by the government’s abrupt decision to cut diesel subsidies, raising fuel prices by nearly 30% overnight. The move, aimed at reducing public spending and meeting International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform targets, quickly drew backlash from transport unions, especially in the capital Luanda.
What began as a three-day strike by minibus taxi drivers turned violent, with protesters clashing with police, vandalizing public infrastructure, and looting supermarkets, shops, and warehouses. The violence spread rapidly from Luanda to the provinces of Huíla, Benguela, and Cabinda. By Wednesday, President João Lourenço’s cabinet had convened an emergency meeting to address the growing crisis. In a statement, the presidency confirmed 22 deaths, 197 injuries, and extensive damage to private and public property, including 66 shops and 25 vehicles.
The fuel subsidy program, which cost the state around 4% of GDP in 2023, has long been a target for reform. The government now aims to bring that figure down to 1.8% in 2025. But while economists and international investors have applauded the fiscal reforms, they have drawn severe criticism at home for worsening living costs in a country already grappling with high unemployment and poverty. “This is a textbook example of economic reform colliding with social reality,” said Ana Paula Simão, an economist at the University of Luanda. “People rely on subsidized fuel for transport, farming, and trade. Take that away without a safety net, and unrest is inevitable.”
Opposition parties and human rights groups have condemned what they describe as a heavy-handed police response. Videos circulating on social media show security forces firing tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds, while rights groups are calling for an independent investigation into the use of force. The government now faces mounting pressure to either soften its austerity measures or roll out urgent support for vulnerable communities to prevent further instability.
