AMPE ROGÉRIO / EPA
The Angolan Interior Ministry classified as “criminal actions” the events that occurred in Luanda “from the early hours” today, considering that “they represent an attack on the democratic and law state”. Police have detained more than 100 people involved in acts of vandalism.
This Monday was marked in Luanda by Episodes of Vandalismpiles and disturbance of public order, which the Angolan Interior Ministry classified as “criminal actions” and an “attack on the democratic and law state.”
In the early hours of the day they registered flood floods of taxis, in various parts of the province, with many videos circulating on social networks giving the situation, Vandalism acts in storesstoned buses, barricades on the roads, and burning tires.
The events coincided with the taxi operators strike and demonstrations against the increase in the cost of living, which take place until Wednesday in the Angolan capital.
“These criminal actions that undermine public stability represent an attack on the democratic and law and law and to the well-being of citizens”, Points out a statement from the Ministry of Defense, read on national television.
These are “premeditated acts of sabotage and intimidation That will not be, under any circumstances, tolerated, so that the authorities are taking all the necessary measures to maintain public order and tranquility, as well as to identify, hold the principals and executors of these deplorable acts to justice, ”the statement adds.
Angolan authorities reaffirm that “the public safety situation is stable and appeals to the population to refrain from participating or encourage such actions and collaborate with the authorities denouncing any suspicious activities. ”
Protests broke up during the first three days of stoppage taxi drivers against the increase of fuels, with Thousands of people on the streetacts of violence and vandalism, piles and bus attacks.
A hundred suspects detained
The National Police of Angola seas More than 100 people Suspected acts of vandalism following the disorders recorded in the Angolan capital.
According to the spokesman for the National Police, subcommittee Mateus Rodriguesthe current situation is stable and foci of disorder in the morning are already controlled.
“Us We have our strength to control these places”Said Mateus Rodrigues in statements to the press, stressing that they were seized some objects “In possession of the individuals who committed acts of violence.”
The police accounted for destruction of about 20 buses of public transport, being accountable to the damaged private vehicles. Mateus Rodrigues stressed that the data is still preliminary, because the police continue to calculate and receive information about what actually happened.
“From the point of view of the measures that were taken, they remain high, our Forces continue on the streets to ensure that those small outbreaks of disorder are deactivated, ”said the National Police spokesman, who discouraged citizens to embark on “any act of disobedience.”
Public Security Forces “will not tolerate these acts of disorder Public and will be taken drastic measures, Kabeline measures, in order to replenish public order at all costs, ”added Mateus Rodrigues.
“We want to reiterate, discourage, citizens who are practicing this kind of acts, we are investigating, We have data, we have imageswe continue with the investigation and all those who have practiced looting acts will be detained, beyond these 100, There will be other arrests And they will all be taken to the bodies, ”he said.
In this last balance, the police did not point out any mortal victim or injured registered during the riots, after referring, in his first intervention, a injured person, who would later have been rescued.
Earlier this month, The price of diesel went from 300 to 400 kwanzas per liter (0.28 to 0.37 euros), as part of gradual withdrawal by the government of fuel subsidy, which began in 2023, leading to a Tariff readjustment of public transport.
Facing RISK OF THE PRICE OF DIARLEthe National Land Transport Agency went from 200 (0.19 euros) to 300 kwanzas (0.28 euros) the price of collective taxis service (occasional passenger transport) and 150 (0.13 euros) to 200 kwanzas the tariff of the urban bus service.
Taxi drivers stress that More than 15 days passed without the government “listening to Scream of relief two taxi driversand so the taxi drivers’ associations and cooperatives decided paralyze taxi services on 28,29 and 30 this month ”.
Prudence and Surveillance for Portuguese
O Consulate General of Portugal in Luanda He warned of the current security situation in the Angolan capital, recommending prudence and avoiding unnecessary travel.
“The current security situation in Luanda is the subject of monitoring and near monitoring by Portugal’s diplomatic representation in Angola, in contact with the competent Angolan authorities and the EU partners,” reads in the consulate’s official page.
The consulate advises the Portuguese citizens to maintain “prudence and surveillance”, and suggests the adhesion to the Consulate General of Portugal in Luanda.
Compared to “Mobility constraints that are predicted for this Tuesday ”, the consulate also says that“ the service to the public will meet strongly limited”On this day, however, ensuring the“ commitment to resettle as soon as possible all consular acts that can be impacted by those limitations. ”
