Protests break out in Angola as country marks 60th anniversary of armed struggle

There is an outbreak of protests across Angola as the country marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle with official acts and demonstrations on Friday.

In the Museum of Military History located in the center of the capital, Luanda, the national flag was raised and the anthem sang, followed by the deposition of flowers on the monument of the Unknown Soldier, in homage to all those who fought for the independence of Angola, achieved fifteen years later.

At the same time, elsewhere in the city, the National Police dispersed a demonstration with a hundred participants, in protest against the economic crisis and for political change.

Read also: ANGOLA: Seven teenagers killed during COVID-19 guidelines enforcement –Amnesty Int’l

According to the authorities, the demonstration did not meet the legal requirements and the participants committed several acts of vandalism, while the demonstrators claimed to have been surprised by the strong police apparatus.

The demonstrators also wanted to express their support for the inhabitants of Cafunfo, in the diamond region of Lunda Norte, where, on Saturday, the police suppressed an action they classified as separatist rebellion and which resulted in at least six deaths.

Some non-governmental organizations have denounced human rights violations while the government has ordered the opening of a judicial inquiry.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now