Angolan President Laments Loss of Life During Riots

Luanda: Angolan Head of State Joo Lourenço on Friday lamented the loss of lives during the acts of violence, vandalism, and looting that occurred in the country following the three-day taxi drivers' strike. In a message to the nation, Joo Lourenço expressed his solidarity with the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured as a result of what he described as "sad events." According to Angola Press News Agency, Joo Lourenço strongly condemned the criminal acts that resulted, according to the latest preliminary data, in the deaths of 30 people and the injuries of 277 others. He thanked the law enforcement authorities, justice and health professionals, who promptly treated the injured in different hospital units to save lives. The Angolan president expressed gratitude to the political parties, churches, civil society organizations, and all those who, clearly and unambiguously, spoke out publicly, condemning "the barbarity witnessed in these days." Joo Lourenço said he believes the coun try experienced moments of anguish, the epicenter of which was the capital Luanda, where "premeditated acts of destruction of public and private property, assault, and looting of commercial establishments" were witnessed. According to Joo Lourenço, there were also threats and coercion against peaceful citizens to not travel or report to work, even using their own means of transportation and not being taxi drivers, "the only class that declared a strike," which ran from July 28 to 30. "This is serious, this is a crime, punishable, and condemnable. Clearly, the law enforcement authorities acted within the scope of their duties, and order was promptly restored, and life returned to normal," he stated. The president added that these were acts carried out by "irresponsible citizens," manipulated by anti-patriotic organizations, both domestic and foreign, through social media, resulting in mourning and the destruction of public and private property. Joo Lourenço highlighted the reduction in the supply of essentia l goods and services to the population and the unemployment of Angolans who worked in these commercial establishments as other consequences of the looting perpetrated during the riots. He recalled that strikes and demonstrations are citizens' rights enshrined in the Constitution and law, when held solely for the purpose of demanding rights or protesting against possible non-compliance by public authorities or employers. For the Angolan statesman, 23 years after the end of the armed conflict and in the year the country celebrates half a century since the proclamation of its National Independence, "any more pain and mourning among Angolans cannot be tolerated or accepted." He acknowledged that the country still has many unresolved social problems, but assured that the State is doing its best, investing in social services, health, education, and housing. He reaffirmed his government's commitment to creating more jobs, with the massive hiring of health and education professionals, vocational training, and major public works projects for the construction of road, port, airport, energy, and water infrastructure. Among these projects, he highlighted the large dams built as part of the Drought Relief Program in southern Angola, particularly in the provinces of Cunene, Huila, and Namibe, which "absorb a significant workforce from across the country." Infrastructure construction work in the new provinces will also provide employment for thousands of young people interested in the work, he said, noting, however, that the State cannot be the only employer. "We also count on the private sector, cooperatives, and self-employment, which, to be fair, has also done its best when it comes to providing jobs," the president said. In his view, acts of vandalism against private sector businesses and commercial establishments only discourage private investment and reduce the supply of goods and services and jobs for the population. Lourenço said these acts can only be understood as acts of sabotage of the economy, aimed at further w orsening the social situation the country is experiencing.