Angolan President João Lourenço has dismissed the country’s Minister of Economic and Social Development, Manuel Nunes Júnior, in the midst of widespread protests sparked by the government’s decision to eliminate fuel subsidies.
The move to end subsidies, aimed at reducing government spending, went into effect on June 1, causing a significant increase in fuel prices.
The oil-rich nation has witnessed a surge of protests, and further demonstrations are expected in the coming days.
In response to the unrest, President Lourenço appointed the central bank governor, José de Lima Massano, as the new minister.
Angola, as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil exporters, is facing a challenging situation as it grapples with the fallout from the subsidy removal.
Tragically, clashes between protesters and police in the city of Huambo resulted in five fatalities and eight injuries on Monday.