Protests have rocked Angola due to a hike in fuel prices leading to protests. Four people have been confirmed dead with more injured in the run down with the Police. People are responding to government’s decision earlier this month to raise the price of diesel by 30% This has impacted transport fares by minibus taxis, the leading transport means many Angolans use.
Gunfire in the Capital Luanda’s Cazenga region as people resorted to looting food and other items from shops. A number of youths have been arrested in connection with vandalism and rioting. Cars and buses were damaged and roads were blocked. Transport in Luanda remained suspended and shops closed.
The government’s decision to raise heavily subsidised fuel prices from 300 to 400 kwanzas ($0.33 to $0.44) per litre has caused anger in Angola, one of Africa’s top oil producers, where many people live in poverty.
Minibus taxi associations, which in turn hiked their fares by up to 50%, launched a three-day strike to protest the move from Monday.
Protests have been taking place since the announcement of the diesel price hike on 1st July.
Angola has been gradually cutting fuel subsidies since 2023, when protests over a petrol price hike also turned deadly
