Luanda, Aug. 10, 2025 (Lusa) - The Angolan police on Sunday assured that the public security situation in the country "is stable," with no reports in recent days of actions that could affect the normal functioning of institutions and the free movement of people and goods.
In a press release reporting on the public security situation in the country, National Police spokesman Mateus Rodrigues said that this report aims to “convey a message of calm to citizens, that there is no reason for concern or to restrict public movement in the coming days”.
“The Angolan National Police has been closely monitoring the production, publication, republication and dissemination of information on social media, most of which is false, slanderous and even criminal, with a single purpose: to spread fear, insecurity and social instability in the country,” he said.
Mateus Rodrigues also warned that "this phenomenon is cyclical and always occurs on the eve of major events hosted by Angola, with the publication of videos and audio recordings, some of them even from other countries, situations that occurred in the past, some of them even with disciplinary and criminal proceedings with final judgments".
“On this point, citizens should consult official sources of information,” said the Angolan police spokesman, assuring that “the security situation in the country is stable” and reiterating “its role as guardian of public order and tranquillity, of the protection of people, their property and the free exercise of fundamental rights and guarantees under the Constitution of the Republic of Angola”..
According to Mateus Rodrigues, all security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all national and international activities taking place in the country, warning that "any attempt to disrupt public order and tranquillity will be met with a swift and appropriate response from the country's police and security forces, depending on the degree of threat posed".
In recent weeks, Angola has experienced moments of social unrest following a strike by taxi associations and cooperatives protesting against rising fuel prices and public transport fares.
The strike between 28 and 30 July was marked by riots, characterised by acts of vandalism, looting, violence and destruction of public and private property, resulting in 30 deaths, 277 injuries and 1,515 arrests, according to official figures.
The acts of destruction and violence witnessed in the province of Luanda, Angola's capital, also spread to the provinces of Benguela, Icolo e Bengo, Bengo, Huíla, Malanje, Huambo and Lunda Norte.
Following this incident, the Angolan authorities have announced several arrests, including the president and vice-president of the National Association of Taxi Drivers of Angola (Anata), who led the call for a three-day taxi strike.
In response to these arrests, information is circulating on social media about a new strike starting on Monday if the Anata leaders remain in detention.
NME/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
