Luanda, July 14, 2025 (Lusa) - The parliamentary group of UNITA, Angola’s largest opposition party, has condemned and “vehemently repudiated” the attacks against citizens, particularly members of parliament, who took part in a demonstration in Luanda on Saturday, calling for authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
In a statement condemning the attacks, the parliamentary group of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) "strongly condemned" how the Angolan police repressed the peaceful demonstration against rising diesel prices, public transport fares and tuition fees, called by various civil society organisations, which resulted in "arbitrary arrests and dozens of injuries among citizens" who took part in the protest.
“The UNITA parliamentary group affirms the demonstrators’ and MPs’ right to physical integrity and calls for respect for all individuals who were duly identified and present in solidarity with the just demands of the citizens,” the statement said.
According to UNITA, there was “violence against MP Jeremias Mahula and other citizens, in a clear attack on their lives, physical integrity and dignity, when they were exercising their constitutionally enshrined rights.”
"The National Police, acting under the Constitution of the Republic of Angola and the law, ensures public order, guarantees the safety of citizens, institutions, and public and private property, and remains committed to serving the nation free from personal or partisan agendas that seek to establish an autocratic and totalitarian state," the statement said.
The parliamentary group of Angola’s largest opposition party urged the competent authorities “to hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on MP Mahula and the other victims resulting from the unnecessary obstruction of the march and police violence against the demonstrators, and to provide compensation for the physical, moral and material damage caused”.
Angolan police dispersed hundreds of citizens protesting in Luanda against rising fuel and public transport prices with tear gas, criticising the government authorities.
Since 4 July, the fare for shared taxis in Angola has been 300 kwanzas per trip (€0.28) and urban buses rose to 200 kwanzas per trip (€0.19) on Monday, a measure that follows the increase in the price of diesel, which rose from 300 to 400 kwanzas per litre (€0.28 to €0.37).
Activists, members of civil society, taxi drivers, vendors, students and members of opposition political parties joined the march organised by the so-called social movement that supports the decree approving the fuel price increase in Angola, carrying placards with slogans such as “fuel goes up, stomachs rumble”; “300 kwanzas is excessive”, “we seek laws that uphold the people’s welfare”, “we aspire to eat from proper sources”, “the country is good, and the MPLA (the ruling party) can improve”.
To contain the protesters, some of whom claimed they were heading for the Presidential Palace, the Rapid Intervention Police (PIR) dispersed the march with tear gas.
The situation caused panic among the protesters and passers-by, who sought refuge amid shouts and criticism of the PIR’s actions, which fired tear gas canisters at various points, leaving several people injured and some fainting.
NME/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
