Overview

• At least four protesters were killed and hundreds detained as police and military units moved in to break up demonstrations.
• A three-day strike by the taxi drivers’ union transformed largely peaceful rallies into violent clashes marked by looting, arson and road blockades.
• The government’s removal of fuel subsidies since 2023 culminated in a 33 percent diesel price increase to 400 kwanza per liter, fueling public outrage over rising living costs.
• President Lourenço accused unnamed political forces of using the price hikes as a pretext to undermine his administration’s stability.
• Despite being Africa’s second-largest oil exporter, Angola must import refined fuel due to limited domestic refining capacity, exposing consumers to volatile global markets and potential inflation in food and transport.