Angola’s President Scrambles to Quell Unrest as Fuel Protests Loom

Angola’s President João Lourenço is racing to contain potential new protests over soaring fuel prices, convening emergency talks with top advisers to discuss the threat. The meeting comes amid heavy security in Luanda following rumors that taxi drivers are planning new strikes this month over subsidy cuts that caused fares to soar by 50%. Similar protests last month left 30 dead and led to the arrest of over 1,200 people. While taxi associations deny plans for further demonstrations, authorities have arrested their president and vice president, citing public order concerns. Meanwhile, police have launched preventive patrols and seized materials (such as tires) used for roadblocks. They have also assured residents that transport will run normally, while promising a “prompt response” to unrest.

Bloomberg