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Locals in sections within Angola’s primary city are still afraid to talk freely about what transpired last month, when protests halted daily activities and unrest impacted multiple provinces.

Starting out as a demand among taxi drivers to oppose surging energy expenses evolved into multiple days of conflict, causing at least three dozen fatalities and thousands of arrests.

Streets became impassable with flaming tires, stores got raided, and confrontations broke out between protesters and police.

It was one of the largest waves of public outcry since the end of the internal conflict in 2002.

Root Factors: Economic Hardship and Imbalance

Preceding petroleum-endowed Angola commemorating 50 years of sovereignty from Portugal, the demonstrations emphasized ongoing apprehensions about impoverishment and economic disparity.

Within communities where unrest peaked, few people are willing to speak openly, worried about backlash or targeting due to mass arrests during and after the unrest.

"Things may have gotten out of control, but we had to be this vocal to wake up those in power," stated a 24-year-old peddler from Luanda who wished to stay unidentified.

Since departing school before concluding secondary education, he now vends beverages along one of the capital's most crowded roads to sustain his family.

He is numerous citizens struggling to survive amid gleaming skyscrapers funded by oil revenues.

Lack of Opportunities for the Young Drives Discontent

In his view, joining the initial phase of protests was a way to demonstrate that "we have a voice" and that individuals in his situation are entitled to a piece of the wealth of a country that is "affluent for a few, but difficult for numerous of us."

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

Unemployment among 15-to-24-year-olds stands at 54%, according to government statistics. Out of numerous young people of working age, only a fraction have jobs in the regulated economy – meaning they obtain consistent pay and contribute to public funds.

In Angola's main cities, many jobless young people who are no longer in school underscore the state's inability in addressing their hopes.

"I only sell on the street when I can earn sufficient funds to buy the products," the peddler remarked. "At times when I don't sell anything because business is so slow. Numerous people like me live like this, and no one notices us. That’s why we can't stay silent."

Academic Insight

Angolan sociologist Gilson Lázaro was not surprised by the summer protests. He believes that those at the center of the demonstrations were the "marginalized."

"These are young people, the most, who have little remaining but their lives. That is why they took to the streets without fear," he commented.

The protests started spontaneously in some of Luanda's more crowded and underprivileged districts, where some inhabitants are without access to essential services as well as other critical facilities.

Gradually, demonstrators moved into the capital's central roads, causing turmoil and "revealing a social problem that has long existed but which the governing class has opted to neglect," according to the sociologist.

"In the past period, Angola has been heading towards a deep societal, financial, and, most importantly, political legitimacy crisis. The primary reason is the defective way the country has been administered since the end of the civil war in 2002," Dr. Lázaro commented.

Government Response

The Angolan government has adopted a contrary perspective.

A government official did not respond to a inquiry for input on the events and their aftermath, but in a public speech, President João Lourenço made his feelings clear.

He denounced the protests as "actions committed by unaccountable people, manipulated by anti-patriotic local and overseas organizations through social media, bringing sorrow, destruction of public and private property, limited availability to essential goods and services, and unemployment for Angolans."

Economic Challenges

Despite frequent commitments to diversify its economy, Angola remains concentrated in oil and gas, which are by far the country's main exports as well as the primary provider of public funds.

"Natural resources are good, but the issue lies in how revenues are utilized," Angolan economist Francisco Paulo commented. "Had Angola adopted systems like Norway or Saudi Arabia, using oil wealth to enhance non-oil sectors and develop its labor pool, it would be a blessing. Regrettably, revenues here are wasted on non-essential costs with no tangible gain."

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

Recovery only resumed in 2022, mainly fueled by non-oil sectors. But current progress has had scant influence on the conditions faced by the population.

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

It said that while the economy was growing, it was not keeping up with population growth, meaning that, on average, people were getting poorer.

Future Outlook

With national festivities nearing, plans including cultural events, state honors, and a football match including Argentinian Lionel Messi are in active preparation.

But activist Lea Komba challenges the old socialist slogan "united citizens, one state," coined during the former socialist government 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 destined for extreme poverty, without quality education or good work, even if they study hard and earn a degree," she remarked.

"This demographic think with their stomachs, because starvation leaves them with nothing to lose. They are the ones who occupied public spaces."

She added that "officials must look at root causes, not just consequences."

"Plundering was simply the way young people found to draw attention from those in power."

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