The Standing Committee of the UNITA Political Commission, in a statement released this Tuesday, considers that the increase in the price of a litre of diesel, which since Monday has cost 300 kwanzas (a 50 percent increase compared to what was in force), demonstrates that the executive "is completely indifferent and has turned its back on the people it claims to govern".
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) states that this increase "will have tremendously negative repercussions on the productive sector that depends greatly on diesel".
An adjustment that "will raise production costs, as well as the transport of public services, which will inevitably affect the already difficult lives of families and businesses", says the political party, which urges the government to "immediately suspend the new price of diesel".
A liter of diesel has risen since Monday to 300 kwanzas, against the previous 200 kwanzas, a measure that, according to the authorities, is part of the gradual and flexible removal of state subsidies.
UNITA advocates, on the other hand, a "gradual, responsible and transparent" withdrawal of fuel subsidies that protects the productive sector, transporters and low-income families.
The political party urges the Government to publish the technical and financial data that support the policy of withdrawing subsidies and to urgently present a national plan to mitigate the social and economic impacts of this measure.
It also proposes opening a national consultation process, involving political parties, civil society, the private sector and social partners, to redesign a "fair, efficient and transparent strategy" for reforming subsidies.
