The Angolan Police on Wednesday arrested some demonstrators who were protesting against rising living costs, unemployment and the postponement of local elections due to coronavirus.
Local reports said protesters in Luanda, the Central African country’s capital, were dispersed with tear gas.
A number of people were arrested.
Some were injured during the demonstrations, which had been banned by the authorities.
Last month, violent anti-government protests rocked the capital, Luanda, last month leading to the arrest of at least 100 people. Disenchantment with the government has risen in recent months, with several marches called against corruption, police brutality and unemployment.
On Tuesday, rights group – Amnesty International – asked the authorities in Angola to respect the country’s citizen’s right to protest.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa Muleya Mwananyanda said the right to peaceful assembly is protected by the Angolan constitution and international treaties ratified by the country.
He said, “Angolan authorities must guarantee that protesters can exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are protected by the Angolan constitution and international treaties ratified by the country.
“Past peaceful protests in Angola have been met with appalling brutality by the police, with demonstrators assaulted and arrested for no other reason than demanding accountability from the authorities. Amnesty will be monitoring the situation closely, and documenting any human rights violations. Staging a protest is not a crime.
“Angolan authorities must allow and facilitate this protest to go ahead, and ensure people’s legitimate demands for accountability and reform are not met with violence or reprisals.”
