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Locals in sections within Angola’s primary city continue to be apprehensive to speak openly about the incidents in July, when protests brought the city to a standstill and unrest rocked several regions.

What began as a demand among cab operators to resist surging energy expenses escalated into three days of hostilities, resulting in at least three dozen fatalities and a multitude of detentions.

Roads were blocked with burning tyres, businesses were plundered, and clashes broke out between activists and law enforcement.

This marked one of the most impactful outbreaks of protest since the end of the national strife in 2002.

Root Causes: Destitution and Inequality

Ahead of resource-abundant Angola marking 50 years of independence from Portugal, the demonstrations highlighted ongoing concerns about poverty and wealth gaps.

Across districts where dissent was most intense, few people are willing to speak openly, concerned over backlash or persecution due to widespread detentions during and after the incidents.

"Things may have gotten out of control, but we required to protest loudly to alert those in power," shared a young peddler from Luanda who requested anonymity.

Having left school before concluding high school, he now offers beverages along one of the capital's busiest roads to support his family.

He counts among countless people grappling to get by amid modern infrastructures constructed by petroleum income.

Joblessness Among Young People Propels Discontent

For the vendor, participating in the initial phase of demonstrations was a way to show that "we have a voice" and that people like him merit a share of the resources of a country that is "rich for some, but difficult for numerous of us."

Joblessness among young adults has been a key factor of dissent in this demographically fresh state where the middle age is below 16.

Lack of work among 15-to-24-year-olds is at 54%, as per government statistics. Out of 18,000,000 young people of working age, only 3,000,000 have jobs in the official workforce – meaning they obtain regular wages and fulfill fiscal duties.

Across urban centers, many jobless young people who are no longer in school underscore the state's struggle in meeting their aspirations.

"I merely trade on the street when I can obtain adequate cash to buy the soft drinks," the informal merchant remarked. "At times when I don't sell anything because business is so poor. I and countless others live like this, and no one notices us. That’s why we refuse to stay quiet."

Expert Analysis

Researcher Gilson Lázaro was expecting by the recent unrest. He contends that those at the center of the demonstrations were the "impoverished."

"This group consists of young people, the most, who have nothing left but their lives. That is why they protested publicly without fear," he observed.

The demonstrations started spontaneously in some of Luanda's more populous and poorer districts, where some residents do not have access to essential services as well as other critical facilities.

Over time, demonstrators moved into the capital's main avenues, causing disorder and "exposing a public concern that has persisted for years but which the leadership has preferred to ignore," according to the sociologist.

"Over recent years, Angola has been approaching a profound societal, economic, and, primarily, leadership trust crisis. The fundamental issue is the faulty way the country has been governed since the end of the civil war in 2002," Dr. Lázaro added.

Official Reaction

The Angolan government has expressed a different view.

A government official did not respond to a petition for comment on the events and their consequences, but in a public speech, President João Lourenço made his views clear.

He criticized the protests as "acts committed by irresponsible citizens, manipulated by disloyal local and overseas organizations through digital networks, bringing grief, destruction of government and civilian possessions, restricted entry to essential goods and services, and layoffs for Angolans."

Economic Challenges

Despite frequent commitments to broaden economic sectors, Angola remains dependent on oil and gas, which are by far the country's leading traded goods as well as the key source of state income.

"Natural resources are good, but the issue lies in how income are utilized," local financial expert Francisco Paulo commented. "Should the nation emulate examples like Norway or Saudi Arabia, using oil wealth to enhance non-oil sectors and train its labor pool, it would be a advantage. Unfortunately, revenues here are squandered on frivolous outlays with no tangible gain."

After the ouster of former President Dos Santos, Angola endured five sequential periods of economic decline between 2017 and 2021.

Recovery only returned in 2022, largely driven by non-oil sectors. But the latest expansion has had minimal effect on most Angolans' lives.

In a report this year, the World Bank estimated that more than a third of the population live on less than $2.15 per day.

It said that while the economy was developing, it was not paralleling population growth, meaning that, on average, people were getting poorer.

What Comes Next

Ahead of the sovereignty commemorations, plans including cultural events, official recognitions, and a sports event involving global star Messi are in full swing.

But student Lea Komba challenges the old socialist slogan "single populace, unified country," popularized during the former socialist government of the late 1970s.

"This is inaccurate that we all share the same reality. There is significant imbalance. Young people in marginalized areas are almost destined for extreme poverty, without quality education or good work, even if they apply themselves and earn a degree," she said.

"These young people think with their immediate necessities, because food insecurity leaves them with little hope. They are the ones who took to the roads."

The student added that "government leaders must look at root causes, not just results."

"Plundering was simply the way young people found to generate focus from those in power."

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