Four Dead, Hundreds Arrested in Angola Fuel Price Protests

• Jul 29, 2025

Four people have died and hundreds have been arrested in Angola after protests over a fuel price hike turned violent in the capital, Luanda.

The unrest began on Monday when taxi operators launched a strike in protest of the government's decision to increase the price of subsidised gasoline. The strike quickly escalated into widespread violence, including looting, attacks on vehicles, and clashes with police.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mateus Rodrigues confirmed the deaths on Tuesday but did not provide details on how the victims were killed. He said about 400 people were arrested overnight for suspected involvement in the violence, following 100 arrests made on Monday.

According to police, the protests led to the vandalism of approximately 45 shops. At least 25 private cars and 20 public buses were damaged during the chaos. Images from the scene showed people fleeing with stolen goods, while videos on social media captured large groups of protesters and police struggling to contain the situation.

The protests are part of a growing public backlash against the Angolan government's decision to raise the price of gasoline. On July 1, the cost of a litre increased from 300 to 400 kwanzas (about $0.33 to $0.43), triggering outrage from many, particularly those in the transport sector who rely on fuel for daily income.

Over the past three weekends, protests have taken place across the country. On Saturday, around 2,000 people took to the streets to demonstrate against the fuel price hike, highlighting the rising public frustration.

The National Association of Taxi Drivers (ANATA), which called for the three-day strike, has distanced itself from the violent acts. In a statement, the group said it would continue the strike and stressed that the taxi drivers' demands reflect the broader concerns of the Angolan people.

"The voice of the taxi drivers reflects the outcry of the Angolan people," the association said.

Police say they remain on high alert and are closely monitoring for any further unrest.

“Our forces are on the streets with the necessary resources,” said Rodrigues. “We are restoring and maintaining public order where needed.”