4 killed, more than 500 arrested in Angola in fuel hike protests

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Violent protests over a fuel price hike in Angola have left four dead and more than 500 arrested, with shops looted and banks vandalized, according to police on Tuesday.

National police spokesperson Mateus Rodrigues said at a news conference that there were still pockets of disorder in the capital Luanda, since the unrest began Monday, coinciding with the start of a three-day strike by bus and taxi drivers to protest the hike.

The violence spilled into Tuesday, with Luanda most affected.

Rodrigues said the violence involved looting, vandalism and protesters fighting with police following the government’s decision early this month to increase the price of diesel by one-third in a bid to ease the strain of costly fuel subsidies on public finances.

Minibus and taxi associations hiked fares by 50%, and began a three-day strike Monday when the violence erupted.

The oil-rich southern African nation had been gradually cutting fuel subsidies since 2023, a year when protests over a petrol hike also turned deadly.