Angolan President João Lourenço praised security forces Friday for swiftly quelling unrest that left 30 dead over two days. The violence erupted after a strike against a fuel price hike, sparking looting and attacks on shops, warehouses, and vehicles in Luanda. The unrest spread to several provinces, with police confirming 30 deaths, including a police officer, and more than 270 injured.
Among the wounded were ten members of the defence and security forces, according to official reports. Police did not specify causes of death, but opposition parties and rights groups blamed security forces for excessive force.
In his first public remarks, Lourenço defended law enforcement, saying they acted within their duties and promptly restored order. He expressed gratitude to police, justice officials, and health workers for their roles during the crisis.
Authorities arrested over 1,500 people; police reported 118 businesses vandalised and 24 public buses attacked during the unrest. Lourenço condemned the violence, regretted the loss of lives, and pledged government support to help looted businesses recover.
The president did not address the controversial July 1 fuel price hike that triggered widespread protests amid Angola’s deep poverty. Opposition groups condemned the vandalism but accused security forces of killing “defenceless people” during demonstrations.
Human rights NGOs highlighted hunger and poverty as root causes, urging restraint and independent investigation into the killings. The groups demanded compensation for victims’ families and called on Lourenço to prevent further abuses.
One poignant case involved Silvia Mubiala, a mother of six allegedly shot by police while shielding her son in Luanda, sparking public outrage. The unrest underscores Angola’s struggle to balance law enforcement and social grievances amid simmering economic hardship.