At least 100 people were arrested following violent anti-government protests in the Angolan capital Luanda, a senior government official told local media Sunday.
Demonstrators are demanding a new date for local government elections that were due this year, but have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to demand jobs and better living conditions.
Riot police fired tear gas and beat protesters to break up demonstrations involving about 2,000 people.
Demonstrators erected barricades along the roads using dumpsters, rocks, tree trunks, and burning tires. Others set a national flag on fire.
The authorities said that protesters were violent – throwing stones, burning tires, and damaging a fire engine.
Interior Ministry Secretary Salvador Rodrigues told state television that 103 people, including members of the main opposition party UNITA, were arrested and six police officers were injured.
In a statement issued on Sunday, UNITA accused the police of using excessive force to quell the protests and demanded the “unconditional release” of all those arrested.