At least three killed as diesel price protests turn violent in Angola

Protests over a sharp diesel price hike turned violent in Angola’s capital, Luanda, on Monday, leaving at least three people dead and many arrested, according to local media.

Violence erupted in Luanda, Angola’s capital, on Monday after protests against a major diesel price hike spiraled into chaos. Local newspaper Novo Jornal reported that at least three people were killed, including a police officer, amid clashes, looting, and widespread unrest.

The government recently increased diesel prices by one-third, part of an ongoing plan to cut fuel subsidies and stabilize public finances. The hike immediately impacted everyday transportation, with minibus taxi operators raising fares by up to 50% and launching a three-day strike beginning Monday.

As demonstrations spread, police responded with tear gas, smoke grenades, and shots fired into the air to disperse crowds, Novo Jornal reported. Looting was reported across several shops, and the police confirmed they had made arrests, though no official figures were released.

The country’s fuel subsidy cuts have long been a source of controversy. Angola’s finance minister told Reuters in October that subsidies accounted for approximately 4% of the country's GDP in 2023 and that the government would continue to phase them out gradually.

But the cuts have repeatedly sparked unrest. A petrol price hike in 2023 also triggered deadly protests, underscoring the political and economic risks of Angola’s austerity agenda.

Authorities have yet to comment on the reported fatalities, and the situation in Luanda remains tense.

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