Angola police said four people were killed and 500 were arrested after demonstrations in the capital Luanda.
The three-day strike that initially taxi drivers on rising gasoline prices began to escalate into one of the most widespread and destructive protests in recent years.
On Monday, thousands of people participated in demonstrations in the capital that were blocked, shop robbery, cars were destroyed and clashes between protesters and police.
Lulanda continued protests Tuesday and clashed with police and more robbery shops.
“The fuel price problem is just the last straw, rekindling the widespread public dissatisfaction… People have had enough. Hunger prevails and the poor become miserable.”
The strike was convened by taxi operators in response to the government’s decision to raise diesel prices by more than 33%, the measure proposed in early July as part of a plan to eliminate subsidies for fuel enriched by oil.
Not only does this bring higher fares to Angolans, the city that relies on taxis, but it also drives prices for staple foods and other basic knowledge – suppliers who transport these goods are passing their extra costs to consumers.
But President Joe Lorenzo dismissed the concern, saying protesters were undermining the government using the price of gasoline.
“Even after the increase, the diesel price in Angola is still around 40 cents [per litre]there are not many countries in the world that are so low in prices. “He told CNN Portugal in a recent interview.
Angola’s average monthly salary is only 70,000 Quarzs ($75; £56), and the president’s commitment to increase it to 100,000 kwanzas has not yet been achieved.
With Monday’s frustration, a group of protesters ruling the MPLA party’s rule for nearly fifty years in various parts of Lulanda, with loud calls from rising fuel prices and expressing frustration at the current situation in the country.
Laura Macedo saw Angolans fed up in a smaller fuel protest earlier this month [Luamba Muinga]
Angola’s state-owned media has received severe criticism on social media for its continued regular programming and failure to cover demonstrations.
By Monday night, MPLA warned young people not to participate in the protests and said “vasion” was a celebration of intentional breaking and hindering the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence, aimed at destroying and hindering joy.
On Monday, local authorities in Louranda also issued a public statement expressing “deep concern” about the incident, which they described as “riots and behaviors related to the forced cessation of taxi services.”
According to the statement, the initial strike announced by the taxi group has been cancelled after negotiations with the authorities.
But, it said: “A group of unidentified people, without any legal representatives of the taxi department, resumed strike litigation, promoting calls for intimidation and violence, including attacks on vehicles circulating on public roads, and even those who do not provide taxi services.”
Most of these protests are spontaneous in nature.
Anata, a major taxi association, distanced itself from the violence on Monday but vowed to continue the three-day strike and said: “The voices of taxi drivers reflect strong protests from the people of Angola”.
As of Tuesday afternoon, major stores, banks and other businesses remained closed. Some civil servants have returned to work, but many who work in private companies stay at home under the advice of their employers.
Police warned them to patrol the streets and would continue to “intervent places that are still harassing” to “re-establish public order and peace.”
Some shops in the capital were raided [AFP via Getty Images]
More BBC stories about Angola:
go bbcafrica.com More news about the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @bbcafrica,on Facebook BBC Africa Or on Instagram bbcafraca
BBC Africa Podcast
