Amnesty International has issued a stern call to the Angolan government, demanding an independent and impartial investigation into the deaths of 22 people during a taxi drivers' strike that started on July 29, 2025. The international human rights organization condemned the excessive and lethal force reportedly used by security forces against protesters, many of whom were unarmed and non-threatening.

The protests were sparked by a significant increase in diesel prices following the government's decision to phase out fuel subsidies. This policy shift heavily impacted Angola’s informal transport sector, particularly affecting independent taxi drivers known as candongueiros, who depend on affordable fuel prices. Organized by the National Union of Taxi Drivers, the strike led to extensive service interruptions and road blockades in major cities including Luanda, Huambo, and Benguela.

Initially peaceful, the demonstrations escalated as police and military were deployed to quell the unrest. The government reported violent incidents, including looting and property damage, but many witnesses contradicted this, describing the police response as indiscriminate and brutal. Reports surfaced of security forces firing on protesters, conducting warrantless home raids, and detaining hundreds without clear justification. Official records confirmed the toll: 22 dead, 197 injured, and over 1,200 arrested.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of behavior by Angolan police, characterized by the use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters, mass arrests, and intimidation of civil society. Human Rights Watch recently highlighted the government's neglect in addressing police violence, undermining public trust in law enforcement.

Legal experts and international observers have expressed alarm over Angola's repeated breaches of both constitutional and international human rights standards. The ongoing suppression of peaceful dissent and freedom of expression has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for enhanced protections against state abuse.

In response to these events, Amnesty International is urging immediate action from the Angolan authorities, including the release of all individuals detained for participating in peaceful protests, compensation for victims and their families, and the prosecution of those responsible for the violence and deaths. The organization warns that without firm accountability and reform, Angola is likely to continue facing cycles of state violence and deepening public distrust.