Africa-Press – Angola. The president of the Angolan parliament, Carolina Cerqueira, said in Maputo that she is awaiting official information about deputies prevented from participating in Saturday’s demonstration in Luanda against fuel price increases, stating that they are “constitutionally protected.”
“I learned about it through social media (…) I also learned that MPs demonstrated, were at the demonstrations, so I hope that my office receives any information about this situation so that we can analyze it with the competent structures ,” said Carolina Cerqueira, questioned by Lusa, in Luanda, on the sidelines of the opening of the 14th meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (AP-CPLP).
Angolan police used tear gas on Saturday to disperse hundreds of citizens protesting in Luanda against rising fuel and public transport prices, criticizing government authorities.
Deputies from the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA, the largest opposition party) reported being prevented from participating in the protest by the police, in videos circulated on social media.
However, the President of the National Assembly says she is officially unaware of these deputies’ participation in the protest: ” They say they are participating as citizens, they don’t have to explain to me whether they are participating or not. They can participate, but if there are consequences, I have to know formally so I can also take institutional action.”
” We are in a democracy and, effectively, if there was any disturbance or any situation that was less advisable or less favorable for this demonstration to take place in an orderly environment and with mutual respect, I have not yet received formal information about this in the National Assembly, but we will certainly analyze it because we want Angola to continue to be a country of peace, order, and stability amidst the various political differences that exist ,” he added.
Hundreds of citizens, including activists, members of civil society, taxi drivers, vendors, students, and members of opposition political parties, joined the march promoted by the so-called social movement against the decree approving the fuel price increase in Angola.
Holding signs with slogans such as “fuel prices rise, barrels roar”; “300 kwanzas is too much”, “we don’t accept laws that kill people”, “we’re tired of eating from the garbage”, “the country is good, but the MPLA (the ruling party) is no good”, the march began in the square of the São Paulo Market.
“Demonstrations are constitutionally protected in Angola, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Angola, the demonstration is a political act that is carried out through mechanisms of coordination, information, and consultation with public order institutions, and it was in this sense that it occurred,” Carolina Cerqueira also emphasized.
With the intention of reaching Largo Maianga, 200 meters from the headquarters of the National Assembly (parliament), the protesters also came across a second barrier already composed of Rapid Intervention Police (PIR) personnel.
Determined to march to the center of the Angolan capital, many protesters sought alternatives to escape the numerous police checkpoints set up on Luanda’s main streets, and some protesters even managed to reach the vicinity of the headquarters of the Luanda Provincial Government.
To stop the protesters, some of whom claimed they were heading to the Presidential Palace, the police dispersed the march by firing tear gas.
The situation caused panic among protesters and passersby who sought refuge, shouting and criticizing the PIR’s stance, which launched tear gas canisters at several points, resulting in injuries and some people fainting.
The fare for public taxis in Angola has increased to 300 kwanzas per trip (0.28 euros) and that for urban buses has risen to 200 kwanzas per trip (0.19 euros), since Monday, a measure that follows the increase in the price of diesel, which went from 300 to 400 kwanzas per liter (0.28 to 0.37 euros) as of July 4.
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