LUANDA – Hundreds of youths, including civil society activists, took to Luanda streets on Wednesday, to protest against the rising cost of living and unemployment.

The demonstration attempt was foiled by the National Police, as the move had not received the Luanda government’s authorisation and violates the terms of the Presidential Decree on the Public Calamity Situation the country is observing.

Under the said Presidential Decree, gathering of people in batches of more than five is banned, as part of the measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In addition, the Luanda authorities say,  the protesters were not observing legal requirements allowing them to stage a demonstration as they planned.

Ignoring the authorities’ stand, the youths gathered into crowds to try and push march towards the 1º de Maio Square, where they wanted to hand in a manifesto.

The Police dispersed the protest, firing tear gas on the demonstrators who then sought to counter with burning tyres and throwing stones at the public order and security forces.

Unconfirmed reports say embattled activists "Nito Alves" and Laurinda Gouveia got hurt in the process and Police detained a couple of protesters. No death has been reported so far.

Basically, the demonstration was about protesting at unemployment and hiking prices of basic commodities aggravated by the effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The activists are also demanding that the Head of State sets a date for the local power elections.  

This was the second demonstration staged by the youths in a couple of weeks, after that of 24 October, also frustrated by the Police.