Adalberto Costa Júnior, speaking via video from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is participating in a session of the Pan-African Parliament, expressed concern about the news he received from Angola, hoping that the protesters had informed the authorities, in compliance with the law, and deserving protection, not repression.
The leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) stated that he had information that leaders of the association that promoted the taxi strike, the National Association of Angolan Taxi Drivers (ANATA), were arrested on Sunday. He mentioned images he received this Monday showing a young man dead as a result of the protests.
"All of this worries me greatly. The right to protest is absolutely guaranteed by the Constitution, and since it is a guaranteed right, in Angola it cannot be something that provokes violent reactions from anyone, especially those who represent state institutions," said Adalberto Costa Júnior.
According to the president of the country's second-largest political force, "it is not normal" for demonstrations in Angola to be protected only when they are organized by the ruling party, by the party in power.
"The right to demonstrate is absolutely something that must be preserved," he said.
Adalberto Costa Júnior warned those organizing demonstrations to be aware that "they must organize something that is a right, but they also have an obligation to respect, to hold the demonstration within the limits required by law."
"Holding a demonstration within public order and security, respecting public property and individual property. Seeing a series of assaults on institutions, assaults on private property, is not typical of the behavior of the average Angolan citizen," he said.
The politician defended the need for Angolans to be wary of "those with bad intentions who might take advantage of the opportunity of demonstrations to create violence, to create unrest."
"Today, anyone organizing a demonstration must also be careful and responsible in protecting those participating, ensuring there is no infiltration by people unrelated to the demonstration's purpose, by people with other interests, who create violence," he emphasized.
The UNITA president emphasized that demonstrations are a right, and that when properly monitored and protected, "they never have consequences, there are no problems, and certainly no loss of life."
"This is another element that reached us today: we are receiving some images of a young man dead as a result of some of these actions, a consequence of the demonstration. We cannot continue to lose lives when Angolans decide to defend their right to demonstrate," he emphasized.
For Adalberto Costa Júnior, the situation is "even more serious if someone used a live round, especially if it is someone who is part of the defense and security forces," who are trained "to act in risky, exceptional circumstances."
"The first step in ensuring order at a demonstration is not the use of weapons, nor the immediate use of live ammunition, nor the immediate consequence of a death. The defense and security forces must know how to act to protect life, and I deeply regret if it turns out that we have yet another death to mourn, because Angolans exercised their right to protest," he emphasized.
"But this right, judging by the images I see, is also occurring in some instances where violence is present. This is not normal!" he added, emphasizing the need to "educate the defense and security forces, the institutions, which, unfortunately, generally speaking, when it's not the ruling party that requests it, they restrict, (...) they always appear to restrict routes that they previously authorized. This is not normal behavior."
The first day of a planned three-day taxi shutdown in Luanda was marked by vandalism, looting, and destruction of property, including vehicles and commercial establishments. Barricaded streets and burned tires were also seen in several parts of the province. Police assured that all personnel and resources were available to restore normality.
Police announced the arrest of several individuals and will provide a detailed assessment of the situation later.
Several videos shared on social media showed, early Monday morning, the main taxi ranks crowded, with no taxis running, and buses with passengers being stoned.
Some videos also show motorcycle taxi drivers attempting to reach the Presidential Palace from the Maianga region, only to be stopped by a strong police presence and the presidential guard.
