Deadly Fuel Price Protests in Angola Leave at Least 22 Dead

**Published July 30, 2025**

Angola is reeling after widespread protests against a steep fuel price increase turned deadly this week. The government confirmed that at least 22 people were killed and 197 others were injured when a strike by minibus taxi associations escalated into violence. The unrest – which began on Monday when drivers protested against a decision to raise the price of diesel by one‑third – underscores the tension created by the country’s efforts to end costly fuel subsidies.

### What Sparked the Unrest?

The immediate trigger was the government’s decision to increase diesel prices by about 33 percent as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce fuel subsidies and stabilise public finances. Minibus taxi drivers launched a three‑day strike on July 28 that brought much of the capital to a standstill. Initially peaceful, the strike quickly morphed into protests as taxi operators and supporters blocked roads and clashed with police. Looting and vandalism began in Luanda and then spread to six other provinces.

### Violence and Casualties

By Wednesday, authorities reported 1,214 arrests and extensive damage to businesses, including 66 shops and 25 vehicles. Some supermarkets and warehouses were looted, and sporadic gunfire echoed through the capital as police struggled to regain control. President João Lourenço’s cabinet convened an emergency session and authorised the deployment of the army to restore order after what officials called a “climate of widespread insecurity.” The casualties included a police officer.

### Economic Context: Subsidy Reforms and Rising Discontent

Angola, an oil‑rich nation on Africa’s Atlantic coast, has been gradually removing fuel subsidies since 2023. The International Monetary Fund and other lenders have encouraged the reforms, arguing that subsidies — which amounted to about 4 percent of GDP in 2024 — are unsustainable. Yet the cuts have proved deeply unpopular, especially among low‑income Angolans who rely on minibuses for transport. Angola’s ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has been in power since independence from Portugal in 1975, and critics accuse the government of ignoring the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. Opposition parties UNITA and Bloco Democrático described the country as being in a “severe economic and social crisis” caused by policies “disconnected from the country’s reality.”

### Allegations of Excessive Force

Human Rights Watch and other groups accused the police of using excessive force during earlier demonstrations. According to these organisations, officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at largely peaceful protesters and assaulted participants, fuelling anger against the authorities. With the army now on the streets and a heavy security presence across Luanda, rights advocates warn that further violence could erupt if grievances are not addressed.

### Why This Matters

The deadly protests highlight the delicate balance Angola must strike between economic reform and social stability. While cutting subsidies may help the government manage its finances, it also threatens the livelihoods of taxi drivers and millions of Angolans already coping with high inflation and unemployment. The MPLA’s long grip on power, combined with allegations of corruption and heavy‑handed policing, has eroded public trust. Addressing the current crisis will require not only economic adjustments but also meaningful dialogue with civil society and a commitment to protect basic rights.

As Angola mourns the lives lost and assesses the damage, the situation serves as a stark reminder that reforms cannot succeed without public buy‑in. The coming weeks will be pivotal as the government decides whether to press ahead with subsidy removal or ease the burden on its citizens.