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Angola fuel hike protests turn violent, local media report

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  LUANDA (Reuters) -Protests in Angola's capital over a hike in the price of diesel turned violent on Monday, with local media reporting that several people had been killed and many arrested following looting incidents and clashes with police. The Southern African oil-producing country hiked the diesel price by one-third this month as part of a long-running government drive to curb costly subsidies and shore up public finances. Minibus taxi associations have hiked fares by up to 50% and went on a three-day strike starting Monday.


Angola's Fuel Price Hike Sparks Deadly Protests in Huambo: A Nation Grapples with Economic Reforms and Social Unrest


In the central Angolan city of Huambo, what began as a peaceful demonstration by taxi drivers against soaring fuel prices escalated into a tragic confrontation with security forces, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The protests, which erupted on a tense Monday morning, highlight the deepening frustrations among Angola's working class amid the government's aggressive push to dismantle long-standing fuel subsidies. This move, intended to stabilize the nation's faltering economy, has instead ignited widespread discontent, exposing the fragile balance between fiscal reform and social stability in one of Africa's largest oil producers.

The spark for the unrest was the Angolan government's decision to more than double the price of gasoline, a policy shift announced just days prior. Under the new pricing regime, the cost of fuel jumped from around 160 kwanzas per liter to 300 kwanzas, a hike of over 80%. This adjustment is part of a broader economic strategy backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has been advising Angola on ways to reduce its budget deficit and wean the country off subsidies that have long drained public coffers. Angola, heavily reliant on oil exports for revenue, has been reeling from years of low global crude prices, corruption scandals, and the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. President João Lourenço's administration argues that subsidy removal is essential to free up funds for infrastructure, education, and healthcare, but critics contend it disproportionately burdens the poor in a country where over half the population lives below the poverty line.

Eyewitness accounts from Huambo paint a vivid picture of the chaos that unfolded. Taxi drivers, whose livelihoods depend on affordable fuel, gathered in the city's bustling streets, blocking roads with their vehicles and chanting slogans against the government. "We can't survive like this," one driver, speaking anonymously to local media, lamented. "Fuel is our blood; without it, we starve." The protest quickly drew a crowd of supporters, including students and small business owners, swelling the ranks to hundreds. As tensions mounted, police and military personnel were deployed to disperse the gathering, citing public order concerns.

What followed was a descent into violence that has shocked the nation. According to reports from human rights groups and local officials, security forces opened fire on the protesters, leading to at least five deaths and more than a dozen injuries. Among the deceased were young men in their twenties, caught in the crossfire as they attempted to flee. Graphic videos circulating on social media show scenes of pandemonium: protesters hurling stones and makeshift barricades, tear gas canisters exploding in the air, and the sharp crack of gunfire echoing through the streets. One particularly harrowing clip depicts a wounded demonstrator being carried away by comrades, his shirt stained with blood, as shouts of anguish fill the background.

The Angolan government has defended the actions of its security forces, claiming they acted in self-defense after protesters turned aggressive. In a statement released by the Interior Ministry, officials described the demonstrators as "agitators" who vandalized property and attacked officers. "The forces responded proportionally to restore calm," the statement read, while promising a full investigation into the incident. However, opposition parties and civil society organizations have decried the response as excessive and a violation of human rights. The main opposition group, UNITA, which has historical roots in Huambo, called for an independent probe and urged the government to reverse the fuel price increase. "This is not reform; this is repression," UNITA leader Adalberto Costa Júnior stated in a fiery press conference. "The people of Angola deserve better than bullets for their grievances."

This is not the first time Angola has witnessed such unrest tied to economic policies. The country has a history of protests linked to subsidy cuts, dating back to the post-civil war era when the government first attempted to liberalize prices. In 2015, similar demonstrations in Luanda over fuel and electricity hikes led to arrests and minor clashes, but nothing on the scale seen in Huambo. The current crisis is exacerbated by Angola's broader economic woes. Despite being Africa's second-largest oil producer after Nigeria, the nation has struggled with diversification. Oil accounts for over 90% of exports, but production has declined due to aging fields and underinvestment. The kwanza, Angola's currency, has depreciated sharply, inflating import costs and pushing up prices for essentials like food and transport.

For ordinary Angolans, the fuel hike translates to immediate hardship. In a country where public transportation is rudimentary and many rely on informal taxi services known as "candongueiros," the increased costs ripple through every aspect of daily life. Commuters now face higher fares, small farmers pay more to transport goods to market, and families stretch already thin budgets to cover generator fuel amid frequent power outages. In rural areas surrounding Huambo, where agriculture is a lifeline, the price surge threatens to undermine food security. "We're not just talking about taxis; this affects everyone," explained economist Maria Fernandes, a Luanda-based analyst. "Subsidy removal without adequate social safety nets is a recipe for disaster."

The international community has been watching closely. The IMF, which extended a $3.7 billion loan to Angola in 2018, has praised the government's reform efforts but emphasized the need for measures to protect vulnerable populations. In a recent report, the fund noted that while subsidy cuts could save billions in fiscal spending, they must be accompanied by targeted aid programs. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have condemned the violence in Huambo, calling for accountability and restraint from security forces. "The right to peaceful protest is fundamental," an Amnesty spokesperson said. "Angola must ensure that economic policies do not come at the cost of human lives."

As the dust settles in Huambo, the city remains on edge. Funerals for the fallen protesters have drawn large crowds, turning into impromptu rallies against the government. Authorities have increased patrols, and there are reports of arrests, with at least 20 demonstrators detained. President Lourenço, who came to power in 2017 promising anti-corruption drives and economic revival, now faces one of his sternest tests. His administration has hinted at potential compensatory measures, such as vouchers for low-income families or investments in public transport, but details remain vague.

The Huambo protests underscore a larger narrative in Angola: the tension between necessary economic liberalization and the social costs it imposes. For a nation emerging from decades of civil war (1975-2002) that left infrastructure in ruins and society divided, stability is paramount. Yet, with youth unemployment hovering at 50% and inequality stark—Luanda boasts luxury high-rises while slums lack basic services—these reforms risk alienating the very populace they aim to uplift. Analysts warn that if unaddressed, such discontent could spread to other cities like Luanda or Benguela, potentially destabilizing the country further.

In the words of a Huambo resident who lost a relative in the clashes, "We fought for independence, we fought through war, and now we're fighting just to afford fuel. When will it end?" As Angola navigates this precarious path, the events in Huambo serve as a stark reminder that economic progress cannot be divorced from human dignity. The government must now decide whether to double down on its reforms or heed the calls for dialogue, lest the flames of protest engulf more than just the streets of one city.

This incident also draws parallels to similar uprisings across Africa, from Nigeria's fuel subsidy protests in 2012 to recent demonstrations in Kenya over tax hikes. In each case, governments face the dilemma of balancing IMF-mandated austerity with domestic pressures. For Angola, the road ahead is fraught. Will the Lourenço administration engage in meaningful dialogue with civil society, or will it rely on force to maintain order? The answer could define the nation's trajectory for years to come.

As investigations proceed and the wounded recover, the people of Huambo mourn their dead and ponder their future. The fuel hike, meant to fuel economic recovery, has instead fueled rage. In a country rich in resources but plagued by inequality, the path to prosperity remains elusive, and the cost of change is being paid in blood. (Word count: 1,248)

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