At least 22 killed at Angola fuel price hike protests, authorities say
Al JazeeraJUL 25
Angola Fuel Protests Leave 22 Dead, Over 1.2K Arrested
Above: A looted supermarket in the Kalemba 2 district of Luanda on July 29, 2025. Image credit: AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Angola's fuel subsidy cuts are crucial economic reforms aimed at stabilizing public finances and boosting spending on health and education. These structural changes, backed by the IMF, will reduce subsidies to 4% of GDP, demonstrating Angola's commitment to fiscal discipline. This positive step reflects the government's commitment to sustainable development and long-term economic stability.
Government-critical narrative
The violent crackdown shows a government out of touch, ignoring citizens suffering from 20% inflation and 30% unemployment. It reflects deep-rooted corruption and poor governance, using excessive police force against peaceful protesters instead of addressing real issues. The response highlights a regime more focused on control than solving the country's growing economic and social crisis.