At least 22 people have died and 197 others were injured in Angola following violent protests triggered by a steep increase in diesel prices, the government confirmed Wednesday. Among the dead is a police officer, as clashes erupted in the capital Luanda and spread to at least six other provinces.

The unrest began Monday when taxi and minibus associations launched a three-day strike, raising fares by up to 50% in response to the government’s decision to hike diesel prices by one-third—from 300 to 400 kwanzas per liter—as part of a broader effort to phase out fuel subsidies.

Interior Minister Manuel Homem announced the casualty figures after a Council of Ministers session, adding that 1,214 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in rioting, looting, and attacks on security forces.

Police spokesperson Mateus Rodrigues condemned the violence, stating that “the acts recorded in Luanda cannot in any way be understood or treated as demonstrations”.

The protests quickly escalated into widespread unrest. Shops, banks, buses, and private vehicles were vandalized, and supermarkets and warehouses looted, prompting the government to deploy the army to restore order. Sporadic gunfire was reported in several neighborhoods, including Cazenga, Rocha Pinto, and Kalemba 2, where looting and clashes with police were most intense.

Despite Angola’s status as Africa’s second-largest oil producer, the country faces deep economic challenges. Nearly half the population lives on less than $3.61 per day, and the removal of subsidies—encouraged by the International Monetary Fund—has sparked repeated unrest since 2023.

Activists and civil society groups have criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, warning that the fuel hike is only the latest trigger in a broader climate of economic frustration, high inflation, and youth unemployment.

“People are fed up. Hunger is rife, and the poor are becoming miserable,” said activist Laura Macedo.

Human Rights Watch has previously accused Angolan police of using excessive force during protests, including firing tear gas and rubber bullets at peaceful demonstrators earlier this month.

As calm slowly returns to Luanda, many shops remain shuttered and public transport suspended. The government has yet to announce any concessions, and observers warn that without meaningful reform, Angola risks further instability and deepening public discontent.

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