Angola’s Fuel Protests: A Cry for Justice Amid Economic Struggles

Angola's Fuel Protests: A Cry for Justice

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Angola's Unrest: Fueling Frustration

The streets of Angola have been ablaze with protests since July 28, 2025, following the government's decision to eliminate diesel subsidies (IPS News). This move immediately sent fuel prices soaring, striking ordinary families. What began as a drivers' strike in Luanda, the capital city, quickly spread across the country, transforming into widespread demonstrations (IPS News). The impact on daily life has been severe. Even a slight increase in fuel costs can be devastating for many Angolan families, whose wages have been eroded by years of economic recession and currency devaluation (IPS News). Higher transport costs directly translate to increased food prices and school fees, making it incredibly difficult for those already struggling to make ends meet (IPS News).

However, the fuel subsidy cuts were merely the spark that ignited a much larger fire. The protests reflect deep-seated frustrations that have been simmering for years (IPS News). These include high unemployment, particularly among young people, and growing poverty (IPS News). Furthermore, there is widespread anger at corruption and mismanagement within the government (IPS News). People are frustrated that public resources are often channeled into luxury spending and infrastructure deals that primarily benefit a select few powerful individuals connected to the ruling People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) (IPS News). Basic services and job creation are neglected, while a small elite reaps the rewards of the country's vast wealth (IPS News).

The Paradox of Plenty: Angola's Oil Wealth

Angola is one of Africa's largest oil producers, and it also boasts significant diamond reserves (IPS News). Despite this immense natural wealth, the majority of its citizens do not see the benefits (IPS News). This stark contrast highlights a critical issue: mismanagement and deeply entrenched corruption (IPS News). Revenues from these natural resources have too often been captured by networks close to political power, either sent abroad or invested in ways that fail to create jobs for the general population (IPS News).

Angola's reliance on fuel imports further complicates the situation (IPS News). The country lacks sufficient domestic refining capacity (IPS News). Instead of investing oil revenues in building refineries and strengthening local industry, a system emerged where politically connected individuals profited from importing refined products back into the country (IPS News). This system removed incentives to invest in local processing or agriculture, leading to a small, wealthy elite and a large majority struggling with low wages and limited access to essential services (IPS News).

Government's Heavy Hand: Repression and Control

The Angolan government has responded to the protests with severe tactics, including the use of excessive force and arbitrary detentions (IPS News). Security forces have deployed teargas and, in some instances, live ammunition (IPS News). Numerous arrests have been made, targeting union leaders and journalists (IPS News). Authorities continue to use excessive force to break up peaceful demonstrations (Civicus Monitor). Reports indicate state reprisals against human rights defenders, including the killing of activist Inocencio Alberto Matos by police and the intimidation and physical attack against the daughter of trade-unionist Eduardo Peres Alberto (ishr.ch). Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of activists who were wrongfully jailed for one year and denied medical care (amnesty.org).

In addition to physical repression, the Angolan government has enacted new laws that further restrict freedom of speech and association, shrinking civic space (hrw.org). The 2024 National Security Bill and the Bill on the Crime of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services pose significant challenges for media and civil society groups (hrw.org). The Crimes of Vandalism Bill, in particular, violates the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and the media, which are protected by both the Angolan Constitution and international human rights treaties (hrw.org). Articles 8 and 15 of this law impose prison terms of up to 15 years for individuals who "provide, disseminate or publish by any means information relating to security measures applicable to public goods and services" (hrw.org). The 2023 draft law on Non-Governmental Organizations, approved by presidential decree, also imposes harsh regulations that violate the freedom of association and assembly for civil society and human rights defenders (IPS News, ishr.ch). Three UN Special Rapporteurs sent an Open Letter to the President of Angola, stating that the NGO bill was in violation of international human rights standards and would greatly restrict the independence and autonomy of Angolan civil society organizations (cmi.no).

Angola's Repressive Laws: Impact on Freedoms

Angola: New Laws Expanding State Powers

Key provisions that heighten criminal penalties and broaden executive control over media and communications.

Law on Crimes of Vandalism

Criminalizes recording or sharing security details for public infrastructure (up to 15 years’ imprisonment).
Participation in protests that lead to vandalism or service disruption can bring sentences up to 25 years.

Up to 15 years (recording/dissemination)
Up to 25 years (protest-linked vandalism)

National Security Bill

Authorizes security forces to halt radio broadcasts and disrupt telecom services in “exceptional circumstances”
without obtaining a court order.

Stop radio broadcasts
Disrupt telecom services
No prior court order

Two measures increase criminal penalties and expand executive authority over information flows.
Source: HRW (2024) · HRW World Report 2025

Human Rights Under Siege: Activists at Risk

Human rights defenders and activists in Angola face considerable dangers, including arbitrary arrests, detention, and the use of excessive force by authorities (amnesty.org). These actions are often aimed at suppressing dissent and limiting the space for peaceful assembly and expression (amnesty.org). For example, during one demonstration, at least 11 protesters were arrested, with one reportedly beaten and seriously injured by arresting officers (amnesty.org). They were later released without charge after seven hours (amnesty.org).

On August 31, a demonstration against new legislation on vandalism and national security was halted by the National Police of Angola (PNA), leading to the arrest of at least seven protesters, including activists and a journalist (amnesty.org). They were taken to the Luanda Provincial Command and released without charge 10 hours later (amnesty.org). The PNA also repressed another UNTRA protest on September 21, claiming it was unauthorized, a claim refuted by the organizers (amnesty.org). At least seven protesters were detained, including organizers who resisted a police order to disperse (amnesty.org). Two Angolan human rights organizations, FORDU and OMUNGA, have publicly condemned the "arbitrary persecution and detention" by the national police against activists (lansinginstitute.org).

Human Rights Defenders in Angola: Risks Faced

Angola: Risks to Civic Space & Human Rights

Documented patterns affecting protesters, journalists, union leaders, and human rights defenders.

Arbitrary Arrests & Detentions

Targeting protesters, union leaders, and journalists during demonstrations and civic activity.

Due process risk
Chilling effect

Excessive Force at Protests

Use of teargas and live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators.

Use-of-force concerns
Assembly rights

Reprisals Against Defenders

Killings and physical attacks targeting human rights defenders.

Protection gap
Impunity

Wrongful Imprisonment & Denial of Care

Activists face unlawful detention and withheld medical treatment while in custody.

Health in detention
Arbitrary detention

Documented abuses include arbitrary detention, protest crackdowns, reprisals, and denial of care for activists.
Source: Amnesty · ISHR · Lansing Institute

Civil Society's Struggle: Funding and Surveillance

Civil society organizations in Angola face significant hurdles in their work (IPS News). Funding for democracy and human rights initiatives is scarce, making it difficult for organizations to pay staff or sustain their programs (IPS News). This financial strain limits their capacity to operate effectively and reach those in need (IPS News).

Key Macroeconomic Pressures

Latest available estimates for inflation, unemployment, and poverty (2023–2024).

Inflation Rate (2024 est.)



20.3%

Unemployment Rate (2024 est.)



30.2%

Poverty Rate (2023 est.)



54.9%

0%20%40%60%

Share of population or annual rate (higher is worse)

Inflation, unemployment, and poverty remain elevated, signaling acute household stress.
Source: World Bank; IMF (estimates for 2023–2024)

Another major challenge is state surveillance (IPS News). The Angolan state has invested heavily in surveillance infrastructure, and civil society organizations are frequently targeted by cyber intrusions and closely monitored (IPS News). The legacy of communist authoritarian rule also fosters deep mistrust, making organizing more challenging (IPS News). Furthermore, much of the civil society work is conducted in Portuguese, limiting its reach to a wider international audience that often communicates in English, French, or Spanish (IPS News).

Path Forward: Reform and Accountability

Addressing Angola's deep-rooted problems requires strong political will to combat corruption and ensure transparent management of public finances (IPS News). This means opening up procurement and fiscal data, pursuing accountability for past abuses, and ensuring that resource revenues are channeled into public priorities such as hospitals, local industry, and schools (IPS News). Investing in education, healthcare, and small-scale agriculture would create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, and reduce the country's dependence on imports (IPS News).

Institutional reform is equally vital (IPS News). This includes protecting property rights, improving the business environment to encourage investment and job creation, and strengthening an independent judiciary and electoral processes (IPS News). International partners also play a crucial role in supporting electoral transparency and demanding accountability from companies and governments operating in Angola (IPS News).

Angola's Economic Challenges: Key Indicators

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.