22 Dead as fuel price protests turn deadly in Angola

At least 22 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured in violent protests across Angola, sparked by a steep increase in fuel prices, the government confirmed on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Manuel Homem reported that clashes between demonstrators and security forces erupted in multiple locations, including the capital, Luanda.

Authorities noted instances of looting and vandalism, with vehicles targeted during the unrest.

The protests, which began on Monday, stem from a government decision to raise fuel prices by approximately 30% earlier this month.

The price of diesel has surged to 400 kwanza ($0.54) per litre, a significant burden in a country where, according to World Bank data, half the population survives on less than $3.61 per day.

Despite Angola’s status as one of Africa’s leading oil producers, the nation of 37 million has long relied on heavy fuel subsidies to keep costs low.

The government defends the price hike as a necessary measure to alleviate the country’s mounting national debt.

However, the policy has fueled widespread discontent, leading to the detention of over 1,200 protesters in the past three days, according to police spokesman Mateus de Lemos.

The unrest highlights the economic challenges facing Angola, where the benefits of oil wealth remain unevenly distributed, exacerbating tensions between citizens and the state.