Fuel price protests in Angola leave 22 dead, 1,200 arrested

Angolan President Joao Lourenco's office reports at least 22 people killed and over 1,200 arrested during protests over fuel price hikes. The government removed subsidies on diesel, causing a 30% price increase, prompting violent protests that spread to six provinces. Authorities accused of using excessive force, including firing tear gas and rubber bullets, and assaulting protesters.

Angola's capital, Luanda, and six other provinces have seen violent protests over a recent fuel price hike, with the death toll rising to 22 and over 1,200 arrests made [1]. The government's decision to remove subsidies on diesel, resulting in a 30% price increase, has sparked widespread unrest among the population. The protests, which began as a three-day strike by taxi drivers, have escalated into large-scale demonstrations with looting, vandalism, and clashes with police.

The unrest began on Monday when minibus taxi associations launched a strike against the fuel price hike. The strike was in response to the government's decision to raise the price of diesel by one-third, part of efforts to curb costly subsidies and shore up public finances [1]. Looting, vandalism, and clashes with police started in Luanda and spread to other provinces.

Angolan authorities reported 22 deaths, 197 people injured, and 1,214 arrests. Sixty-six shops and 25 vehicles were vandalized, and some supermarkets and warehouses were looted [1]. The Angolan government has been gradually removing fuel subsidies since 2023, with subsidies amounting to as much as 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) last year [1].

Investors are closely watching the drive to phase out subsidies. Pieter Niesten, portfolio manager for emerging market debt at Neuberger Berman, told Reuters that fuel subsidies were estimated to account for 1.8% of GDP this year, contributing to fiscal pressures [1]. He noted that investors and international financial institutions regard subsidy reform as evidence of Angola's commitment to difficult structural adjustments.

The protests have been fueled by not only the fuel hike but also the increasing cost of living in Angola. Demonstrators are frustrated by the rising prices of staple foods and other basics, as suppliers pass on their additional costs to consumers [4]. President Joao Lourenco's government has dismissed such concerns, stating that the price of diesel remains low compared to other countries [4].

Human Rights Watch has accused the authorities of using excessive force, including firing tear gas and rubber bullets, and assaulting protesters [3]. Deputy Commissioner Mateus Rodrigues of the Angolan National Police said the police had arrested 400 people overnight for suspected involvement in the unrest after arresting 100 on Monday [3].

The protests have highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Angola, despite being one of the top oil-producing countries in Africa. Corruption is a significant political and economic challenge in Angola, with the country ranked 32 out of 100 on Transparency International's corruption perceptions index [2].

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L1N3TR0UC:0-angola-says-death-toll-from-fuel-hike-protests-rises-to-22/
[2] https://www.dw.com/en/angola-mass-arrests-as-luanda-fuel-hike-demos-turn-deadly/a-73449880
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/29/four-killed-hundreds-arrested-in-ongoing-angola-fuel-hike-protests
[4] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y20dxkykro