People in parts of the Angolan capital, Luanda, are still afraid to talk openly about what happened in July when protests brought part of the city to a standstill and disturbances rocked other provinces too. What began as a call among taxi drivers to come out against the jump in the price of fuel turned violent over three days with at least 30 people losing their lives and thousands subsequently arrested. Roads were blocked with burning tyres, shops were looted, and clashes erupted between demonstrators and police. It was one of the most significant waves of protest since the end of the civil war in 2002.
In the run-up to oil-rich Angola marking 50 years of independence from Portugal on 11 November, the demonstrations highlighted continuing concerns about poverty and inequality. In neighbourhoods where the demonstrations were strongest, few people are willing to speak openly, fearful of reprisals or persecution given the numerous arrests during and after the protests.
Things may have got a little out of control, but we needed to make that much noise to wake up those in power, a 24-year-old Luanda street vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC. Having left school before completing secondary education, he now sells soft drinks along Avenida Pedro de Castro Van-Dúnem Loy, one of the capital's busiest thoroughfares, to help support his family.
He is one of the millions here struggling to survive amid the gleaming skyscrapers built by oil money. For the vendor, joining the protests was a way of showing that we have a voice and that individuals like him deserve a share of the wealth of a nation that is rich for some, but miserable for so many of us.
Youth unemployment has been a major driver of recent protests in this young country, where the median average age is less than 16. Official figures indicate a staggering unemployment rate of 54% among 15-to-24-year-olds. Out of the 18 million young people of working age, only three million have jobs in the formal sector.
As protests erupted, Angolan sociologist Gilson Lázaro examined the unrest, noting that many of those protesting were the dispossessed. He stated, These are young people, the majority, who have nothing left but their lives. That is why they took to the streets without fear.
The demonstration's outbreak reflected a deep-seated crisis of governance that has persisted since Angola's civil war ended in 2002. Despite leadership changes, many citizens remain unconvinced that the government is addressing their needs. Young political activists see the protests as a cry for help, signaling that further unrest may continue as political awareness mounts ahead of the 2027 elections.
In the run-up to oil-rich Angola marking 50 years of independence from Portugal on 11 November, the demonstrations highlighted continuing concerns about poverty and inequality. In neighbourhoods where the demonstrations were strongest, few people are willing to speak openly, fearful of reprisals or persecution given the numerous arrests during and after the protests.
Things may have got a little out of control, but we needed to make that much noise to wake up those in power, a 24-year-old Luanda street vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC. Having left school before completing secondary education, he now sells soft drinks along Avenida Pedro de Castro Van-Dúnem Loy, one of the capital's busiest thoroughfares, to help support his family.
He is one of the millions here struggling to survive amid the gleaming skyscrapers built by oil money. For the vendor, joining the protests was a way of showing that we have a voice and that individuals like him deserve a share of the wealth of a nation that is rich for some, but miserable for so many of us.
Youth unemployment has been a major driver of recent protests in this young country, where the median average age is less than 16. Official figures indicate a staggering unemployment rate of 54% among 15-to-24-year-olds. Out of the 18 million young people of working age, only three million have jobs in the formal sector.
As protests erupted, Angolan sociologist Gilson Lázaro examined the unrest, noting that many of those protesting were the dispossessed. He stated, These are young people, the majority, who have nothing left but their lives. That is why they took to the streets without fear.
The demonstration's outbreak reflected a deep-seated crisis of governance that has persisted since Angola's civil war ended in 2002. Despite leadership changes, many citizens remain unconvinced that the government is addressing their needs. Young political activists see the protests as a cry for help, signaling that further unrest may continue as political awareness mounts ahead of the 2027 elections.
