Africa-Press – Angola. The president of the National Association of Taxi Drivers of Angola (ANATA) distanced himself from the strike that took place between Monday and Wednesday, blaming “outsiders” for the stoppage, which he had called off, and contested the arrest of his vice-president.
Francisco Paciente, who spoke to the press following the three-day strike by the “blue and white” (as taxi drivers are known in Angola), marked by riots and episodes of disorder, looting and vandalism, said that ANATA and other organizations had called off the strike.
“ANATA was not the organizer of the three-day strike, as the strike had already been canceled (…). It was called, but days later it was canceled, and we believe that misinformation from profiteers did not help taxi drivers realize the strike was suspended,” he said.
According to the official, strangers were behind the taxi drivers’ strike, especially in Luanda, and took advantage of the situation to promote acts of vandalism and violence that resulted in 30 deaths and more than 270 injuries.
Patient condemned the vandalism of public and private property and lamented the deaths: “We strongly condemn these actions which, under the pretext of the taxi drivers’ strike, strangers took the opportunity to vandalize other people’s property.”
The ANATA delegation in Luanda decided, on the second day of the strike, to continue the taxi drivers’ strike, despite the national leadership having announced the suspension of the strike called between July 28 and 30, as previously reported by Lusa.
In a statement, ANATA Luanda expressed “deep concern regarding the disturbances and acts of violence that occurred on July 28, 2025, in the capital city” and distanced itself “completely from these actions”, reaffirming that “such behavior does not represent the taxi driver class”.
Still, the strike was decided to continue for the three days previously announced. ANATA’s national leadership, in turn, had announced on Monday the suspension of the strike “to prevent outsiders and profiteers with ulterior motives from continuing to disturb social peace,” but the strike went ahead for the three days planned.
Francisco Paciente also contested the detention of his vice-president in the Angolan province of Benguela, where disturbances were also recorded during the strike, considering that the detention of Rodrigo Catimba, which occurred on Thursday, “is illegal.”
“This detention is illegal because at no point did ANATA receive any warrant for its vice president. Interrogations should be conducted and the lawyers should be opened to understand the reasons behind our vice president’s arrest,” he said. Rodrigo Catimba’s family members told Emissora Católica de Angola that he was taken from his home and forcibly, without any arrest warrant, by a group of individuals allegedly affiliated with the province’s Criminal Investigation Service (SIC).
The President of the Republic of Angola stated that “whoever orchestrated and led” the riots that took place this week in Angola “has been defeated.” João Lourenço also condemned the acts of vandalism and looting that resulted in deaths, injuries, and destruction, and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.
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