Dozens dead as violence erupts over government plans to eliminate fuel subsidies, army takes to streets

At least 22 people have died amid violent protests in Angola against a fuel hike, as unrest continues to spread across the oil-rich nation. 

Unrest broke out in the African country on Monday after the minibus taxi associations launched a three-day strike against a government move to increase the price of diesel by one-third in an effort to curb costly subsidies and shore up public finances, Reuters reported.

Residents walk past a looted supermarket in the Kalemba 2 district of Luanda on July 29 during a general strike in the taxi sector declared for three days to protest against the rising prices of fuel.  (AFP via Getty Images)

The army was deployed to restore order as the riots “triggered a climate of widespread insecurity,” the statement said.

Since 2023, Angola has been removing fuel subsidies, a policy encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A price hike that year also triggered deadly protests.

Residents carry items as looting erupted in the Kalemba 2 district of Luanda on July 28 during a general strike in the taxi sector declared for three days to protest against the rising prices of fuel.  (AFP via Getty Images)

Subsidies amounted to as much as 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to the Southern African oil-producing country’s finance minister.