Luanda: People in parts of the Angolan capital, Luanda, are still afraid to talk openly about what happened in July when protests brought part of the city to a standstill and disturbances rocked other provinces too. What began as a call among taxi drivers to come out against the jump in the price of fuel turned violent over three days with at least 30 people losing their lives and thousands subsequently arrested. Roads were blocked with burning tyres, shops were looted, and clashes erupted between demonstrators and police.
According to BBC, a 24-year-old Luanda street vendor who wanted to remain anonymous, stated, “Things may have got a little out of control, but we needed to make that much noise to wake up those in power.” The vendor sells soft drinks to support his family and joined the protests as a way of showing that people like him deserve a share of the country’s wealth. Youth unemployment has been a major driver of protests in this young country where the median age is less than 16. Unemployment among 15-to-24-year-olds stands at 54%, with only three million out of 18 million young people of working age having jobs in the formal sector.
Angolan sociologist Gilson Lázaro was not surprised by the July protests, believing those at the heart of the protests were the “dispossessed.” He noted that the protests emerged spontaneously in Luanda’s poorer neighborhoods, exposing a long-ignored social problem. Dr. Lázaro added that Angola has been facing a deep social, economic, and political legitimacy crisis due to flawed governance since the end of the civil war in 2002.
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has been in power for five decades. President João Lourenço, who succeeded José Eduardo dos Santos in 2017, promised to tackle corruption, diversify the economy, and create jobs. However, critics argue he has struggled to manage the cost-of-living crisis, with 63% of Angolans reporting a worsening economic situation compared to the previous year, according to a 2024 Afrobarometer survey.
Young people have been at the forefront of anti-government protests in recent years, demanding action on corruption, police brutality, and economic inequality. Lea Komba, a 20-year-old political science student, described the fuel protests as “terrifying but somewhat expected” given the country’s reality. The government, however, has not commented on the demonstrations. President Lourenço addressed the nation on 1 August, expressing his views on the unrest.
Angolan economist Francisco Paulo suggested that Angola’s dependence on oil and gas, the main sources of government revenue, remains a critical issue. He argued that Angola could benefit from models like Norway or Saudi Arabia, using oil wealth to strengthen non-oil sectors and develop its workforce. Despite recent economic growth, a World Bank report estimated that more than a third of the population lives on less than $2.15 per day.
As independence celebrations approach, featuring music festivals, presidential medal ceremonies, and a football match with Lionel Messi, student Ms. Komba questioned the reality of the old socialist slogan “one people, one nation.” She highlighted the inequality and poverty faced by young people in marginalised areas. Ms. Komba warned that unrest could continue until the 2027 elections, as political awareness grows and Angolans seek real change.
