🔗 Share this article

Inhabitants in areas across Angola’s primary city continue to be afraid to talk freely about July’s events, when protests brought the city to a standstill and disturbances rocked multiple provinces.

What began as a demand among taxi drivers to oppose increased petrol costs turned into multiple days of hostilities, leading to at least numerous casualties and a multitude of detentions.

Streets became impassable with burning tyres, shops were looted, and confrontations erupted between activists and security forces.

It was one of the most impactful outbreaks of protest since the end of the national strife in 2002.

Root Factors: Poverty and Disparity

In the lead-up to resource-abundant Angola celebrating 50 years of autonomy from Portugal, the demonstrations underscored ongoing worries about impoverishment and wealth gaps.

In neighborhoods where unrest peaked, scarce residents are inclined to share views publicly, fearing backlash or harassment due to mass arrests during and after the events.

"Things may have spun out of hand, but we required to protest loudly to wake up those in power," shared a youthful street vendor from Luanda who requested anonymity.

Since departing school before finishing secondary education, he now offers soft drinks along one of the capital's busiest avenues to support his family.

He counts among millions striving to make ends meet amid towering buildings erected by oil revenues.

Youth Unemployment Drives Discontent

According to him, taking part in the opening stage of rallies was a way to show that "our opinions matter" and that individuals in his situation merit a piece of the prosperity of a country that is "affluent for a few, but bleak for a large segment of us."

Youth unemployment has been a key factor of public demonstrations in this youthful country where the median average age is under 16.

Unemployment among 15-to-24-year-olds is at 54%, according to national data. Out of numerous young people of employment age, only three million have jobs in the formal sector – indicating they receive steady income and pay taxes.

In Angola's main cities, many jobless young people who are no longer in school emphasize the state's struggle in addressing their aspirations.

"I only sell on the street when I can get enough money to buy the products," the peddler noted. "At times when I make no sales because business is so poor. I and countless others live like this, and authorities ignore us. That’s why we can't stay silent."

Sociological Perspective

Angolan sociologist Gilson Lázaro was not surprised by the recent unrest. He believes that those at the heart of the movements were the "dispossessed."

"These are young people, the majority, who have nothing left but their lives. That is why they demonstrated openly without fear," he commented.

The uprisings emerged organically in some of Luanda's more densely populated and disadvantaged neighborhoods, where some inhabitants lack access to basic sanitation as well as other critical facilities.

Gradually, participants moved into the capital's main avenues, causing turmoil and "revealing a societal issue that has been present for ages but which the leadership has preferred to ignore," according to the expert.

"For some time, Angola has been heading towards a profound social, financial, and, above all, leadership trust crisis. The root cause is the flawed way the country has been governed since the end of the civil war in 2002," Dr. Lázaro commented.

Government Response

The Angolan government has expressed a different view.

A state spokesperson did not acknowledge a petition for input on the demonstrations and their aftermath, but in a public speech, President João Lourenço made his feelings clear.

He condemned the protests as "actions committed by reckless individuals, influenced by anti-patriotic local and overseas organizations through digital networks, bringing sorrow, ruin of public and private property, restricted entry to essential goods and services, and layoffs for Angolans."

Fiscal Issues

Regardless of repeated promises to expand beyond oil, Angola remains concentrated in oil and gas, which are by far the country's leading traded goods as well as the key source of state income.

"Natural resources are valuable, but the issue lies in how income are utilized," Angolan economist Francisco Paulo stated. "Should the nation emulate models like Norway or Saudi Arabia, using oil wealth to bolster non-oil sectors and improve its workforce, it would be a blessing. Sadly, revenues here are squandered on non-essential costs with no added value."

Following the departure of former President Dos Santos, Angola experienced five straight years of economic shrinkage between 2017 and 2021.

Recovery only restarted in 2022, largely driven by non-oil sectors. But recent growth has had minimal effect on the daily reality of citizens.

As per an analysis this year, the World Bank estimated that more than a third of the population survive on less than $2.15 per day.

The report indicated that while the economy was growing, it was not matching population growth, meaning that, on average, people were experiencing declining wealth.

Looking Ahead

With national festivities nearing, plans including cultural events, presidential medal ceremonies, and a football match including Argentinian Lionel Messi are in advanced stages.

But young scholar Lea Komba challenges the old socialist slogan "united citizens, one state," created during the one-party Marxist-Leninist regime of the late 1970s.

"It's simply not true that we all share the same reality. There is significant imbalance. Young people in neglected zones are almost condemned to extreme poverty, without proper schooling or decent jobs, even if they work diligently and earn a degree," she stated.

"These young people think with their immediate necessities, because food insecurity leaves them with no alternatives. They are the ones who filled the streets."

She added that "government leaders must look at fundamental reasons, not just outcomes."

"Plundering was simply the way young people found to generate focus from those in power."

She thinks that there {could