A preliminary survey conducted by the Association of Modern Commerce and Distribution Companies of Angola (Ecodima) shows that seven retail chains were actually looted, while nine operators reported attempted vandalism at 24 different locations. The Arreiou stores were particularly noteworthy, with 72 retail units targeted for looting.
In Luanda province — the epicenter of three days of unrest following a taxi driver strike in protest against rising fuel prices and fares — the acts took place in the areas of Vila de Viana, Calemba 2, Golfo 2, Cacuaco, Zango, Benfica, Fubu, Camama, Sapu, Nova Vida, Chicala, Talatona, Rocha Pinto, Samba, Morro Bento, Kilamba, KK5000, Bairro Popular, Ingombota, Palanca, and Maianga, highlighting "the geographic dispersion of incidents throughout the capital's urban fabric."
The last three days of the nationwide strike on private public transportation (commonly known as taxis, candongueiros, or "azul e branco" taxis), between the 28th and 30th of this month, were characterized in several areas of the country, most notably in Luanda, by acts of rioting, vandalism, looting, and attempted break-ins at commercial establishments.
"These events (...) constitute a direct attack on private investment, economic stability, and the physical integrity of workers employed in formal commerce," Ecodima emphasizes in its report.
Regarding the economic and social impacts, the association emphasizes that these episodes represent a concrete threat to the sustainability of the distribution sector, responsible for thousands of direct and indirect jobs and a significant contribution to the state's tax revenue. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the material damage to infrastructure, equipment, merchandise inventories, and logistics operations has yet to be assessed.
"Also mention the psychological and physical impacts on workers, forced to evacuate commercial establishments in panic situations, as well as the shaken investor confidence in the national market," the document emphasizes.
"Ecodima, (...) expresses its deep concern regarding the worsening situation in the country's capital, and emphasizes that its members have adopted all possible measures to safeguard their investments and human resources, including the early and temporary closure of commercial establishments, as a way to prevent more severe damage," the same document also reads.
The association recommends "urgent coordination between defense and security agencies, the Executive, and the business sector, aiming to strengthen preventive measures and safeguard the functioning of the formal economy," explaining that a detailed assessment of the losses suffered is being conducted and submitted to the appropriate authorities.
Among the priority actions, the association highlights the reinforcement of security in critical commercial areas; the immediate restoration of public order; the guarantee of mobility for workers and freight transport vehicles, and the declaration of institutional support for affected operators.
The government's latest assessment of these events, which also affected the provinces of Icolo e Bengo, Bengo, Benguela, Huambo, and Huíla, reports at least 22 deaths, 197 injuries, and 1214 arrests.
