According to the president of the Angolan Community Taxi Cooperative, Rafael Inácio, the strike follows the government's increase in diesel prices and, consequently, public transportation fares.
The issue concerns the new fares for urban public passenger transportation, adjusted following the increase in diesel prices earlier this month, from 300 to 400 kwanzas per liter, as part of the government's gradual withdrawal of fuel subsidies, which began in 2023.
Taxi drivers emphasize that more than 15 days have passed without the government "hearing the taxi drivers' cry for help," which is why "the taxi driver associations and cooperatives ANATA, ATA, CTMF, ATLA, CTCS, 2PN, AB-TAXI" have decided to suspend taxi services on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of this month.
In addition to the fuel price hike, taxi drivers are concerned about the increase in maintenance parts costs, the removal of pick-up and drop-off stops without prior notice to the associations by municipal administrations and the National Police, as well as the executive's unwillingness to formalize taxi business in Angola.
The taxi drivers are also dissatisfied with the "lack of consideration" shown by taxi leadership in the executive's decision-making, and they also want to see this activity recognized through professional licensing.
Rafael Inácio emphasized that the strike will extend beyond Luanda to the provinces of Benguela, Huíla, Huambo, Bié, Bengo, and Icolo e Bengo.
"The main reason for this demonstration is to force the executive to back down on the measure," Rafael Inácio told Lusa, emphasizing that they are "a pressure group" and believe their demands will be heard.
The cooperative leader considered that the unilateral measure to increase taxi fares to 300 kwanzas "was not the best decision."
The National Land Transportation Agency increased the price of shared taxis (occasional passenger transportation) from 200 to 300 kwanzas and the fare for urban buses from 150 to 200 kwanzas, leaving the tariff adjustments to intercity passenger services to the discretion of local government agencies.
According to Rafael Inácio, taxi drivers lost purchasing power and saw operating costs increase. For example, a tire went from 35,000 kwanzas to 105,000 kwanzas.
He emphasized that a shutdown in taxi operations will result in a drop in production, emphasizing that if they don't achieve their goals, they will "redefine strategies, create ideas, roll up their sleeves, and continue fighting alongside the institutions."
The goal is to force the executive branch to open a dialogue with associations, cooperatives, and leaders in this sector: "That's our strategy," he said.
For this strike, organizers are counting on the support of more than 60,000 taxi drivers, who agreed to the mobilization held in recent days.
"We hope we can achieve our goals," said the president of the Angolan Community Taxi Cooperative, advocating for a reversal of the government's diesel price increase.
The source reiterated that taxi drivers intend to "make the executive branch aware that misguided measures have consequences," demanding that the previous prices be maintained.
