Looting and widespread vandalism erupted in Luanda, Angola’s capital, on Monday, as the taxi industry initiated a strike over rising fuel prices.
This latest protest marks another in a series of demonstrations against the government’s recent measure.
The Angolan government, overseeing Africa’s second-largest oil production, increased heavily subsidized gasoline prices from 300 to 400 kwanzas (approximately $0.33 to $0.43) per liter on July 1.
This move has ignited significant public discontent.
Photographs from AFP captured individuals fleeing with items looted from various shops across Luanda, painting a vivid picture of the chaos.
Concurrently, images circulating on social media displayed large crowds of determined protesters, alongside police forces actively pushing back demonstrators attempting to advance.
One particularly striking online post showed a demonstrator making an attempt to set fire to a billboard prominently displaying the image of Angolan President Joao Lourenco, symbolizing the depth of public anger.
The Luanda provincial government issued a statement condemning these “acts of intimidation and violence,” specifically citing attacks on vehicles circulating on public roads.
They also denounced the “vandalism, attacks on workers, and the destruction of both public and private property” that occurred.
According to JA Online media, groups of young individuals were seen burning tires and violently attacking public buses and private vehicles in the Camama area, located just outside the capital city.
Approximately 2,000 people had already demonstrated against the fuel price hike on Saturday, with similar protests also having taken place over the preceding two weekends.
President Lourenco’s MPLA party has governed the Portuguese-speaking nation since its independence in 1975.
