Overview

• On July 1, the government raised subsidized fuel prices by one-third as part of IMF-backed reforms to curb costly subsidies.
• Minibus taxi operators launched a three-day strike on July 28 and hiked fares to protest the diesel price increase.
• Protests in Luanda and cities such as Huambo and Benguela escalated into widespread looting, vandalism and clashes with police.
• Security forces’ response resulted in 22 deaths, including one police officer, and nearly 200 injuries.
• Calm has largely returned to the capital, but pockets of unrest persist as frustrations over inflation and unemployment run high.