Taxi fare hike in Angola "suffocating families"

Political analysts on Wednesday called the increase in taxi fares in Angola "a total suffocation for families already in social poverty," saying the measure reflects "insensitivity" on the part of the Angolan government and could cause social unrest.

According to analyst Albino Pakisi, the rise in fuel prices in Angola is a “dilemma” that the Government faces, given the guidelines of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in order to save 400 billion kwanzas (373 million euros), spent annually on subsidies .

"But the truth is that the World Bank and the IMF advised the government that, if fuel prices are gradually raised , there must also be incentives for the population so they don't feel suffocated," he told Lusa this Wednesday, anticipating a rise in the price of other goods and services in the coming days. "In Angola, it's not just the price of fuel that's gone up; electricity, taxi fares, and tuition fees have gone up . The government cannot allow this; it's so insensitive that we can't say people won't complain or take to the streets in the near future, given this cost of living," he noted.

For his part, political scientist David Sambongo told Lusa that the increase in urban public transport fares to 200 kwanzas (0.19 euros) and private taxi fares to 300 kwanzas (0.28 euros) per trip “will increasingly degrade the quality of life of the majority of Angolan families , who are already in a situation of social indigence”.

Angolan families are struggling to get three basic meals, the Angolan political scientist highlighted, noting that taxis in Angola play a fundamental role in the lives of people , especially in the search for essential services far from their homes.

The author of "National Security and Natural Resources: An Analysis of the Influence of Oil on the Outcome of the Angolan Civil Conflict: 1992-2002" also said that, according to the real calculations of needy families, the rise in transportation prices will mean "total asphyxiation." "This will mean suffocation, a total asphyxiation in the lives of Angolan families (...). We have never seen so many figures in Angola's contemporary history speaking out against a public measure to remove subsidies, which will further degrade the lives of Angolans," concluded David Sambongo.

Albino Pakisi also defended the need for the Angolan government to improve the quality of its spending, particularly by "reducing perks," because, he noted, it makes no sense for the government to raise fuel prices while its members "live off subsidized fuel ." "[Government members] don't pay for fuel, they continue to enjoy superfluous perks, and the government continues to grow fat. In other words, our President of the Republic is incapable of maintaining the dynamic of sacrifice he is imposing on the people; he's incapable of doing so," he criticized.

The philosopher and university professor also criticized Angolan President João Lourenço's trips abroad , which he said were "excessive and with large delegations." Citing Novo Jornal, he said the Angolan head of state has already spent $1 billion (approximately €854 million) on travel . "It's impossible in a country in crisis, like ours, to win the people's sympathy," he lamented, even admitting social unrest due to the government's "insensitivity" to the people's suffering.

Living in Angola "is very difficult," and "the government must be sensitive." "If we sacrifice, let it be all of us . Some can't sacrifice themselves while others continue to live as if the country weren't in crisis (...). We must be sensitive to avoid greater harm," concluded Albino Pakisi.