Angola: Anti and pro-dos Santos demonstrations in Luanda April 15

Event

On Sunday, April 15, simultaneous demonstrations were held in Luanda both in support of and against former President José Eduardo dos Santos. Protesters on both sides rallied around Independence Square. According to local sources, the protests concluded without major incident.

Context

In past years, anti-government and anti-dos Santos protests have been rare, and often severely repressed by Angolan security forces.

Former President José Eduardo dos Santos, who was in office from 1979 to 2017, has been involved in several corruption scandals. José Eduardo dos Santos' two children, Isabel and José Filomeno, were dismissed by current president João Lourenço from their respective positions as head of the state-owned Sonangol oil and gas corporation and head of Angola's sovereign wealth fund, following allegations of corruption.

Advice

Individuals in Angola are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all potential demonstrations and protests as a precaution, and heed all advice issued by the local authorities.