Protests in Angola’s capital turned violent over a hike in the price of diesel, the local media reported that several people had been killed and many arrested following looting incidents and clashes with police.
Protests in Angola, over a diesel price hike turned violent in on Monday, as local media reported several deaths and numerous arrests after looting 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.
According to report, the police used tear gas and smoke grenades, also firing shots into the air to try to restore calm.
The police said in a statement that, “Shops in the capital Luanda had been looted.”
Angola’s finance minister said in October that fuel subsidies amounted to around 4% of economic output last year and that the government would continue removing them in phases.
A petrol price hike in 2023 also triggered deadly protests.
Reuters/Kamila