On Thursday, the Angolan President fired his Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Jr. Joao Lourenco appointed the governor of the National Bank of Angola, José Lima Masano, to the portfolio.
The dismissal of Nunes Júnior and the appointment of Lima Massano was announced in a statement sent by Lourenço’s press services. The only justification given was “fitness of service”, but the expression was later deleted from the press release, which indicated in a new version that the LNA governor left “at his own request”.
Nunes Júnior was fired a week after the Angolan government announced a hike in petrol prices, as a result of a partial withdrawal of fuel subsidies. This action sparked protests by taxi drivers and taxi drivers in several provinces, resulting in deaths and injuries. These professionals, who benefit from the waivers, complain about delays in handing over the cards that give them access to the benefit.
The Angolan authorities acknowledged the communication failure and organized clarification sessions with various sectors this week. On June 17, a nationwide protest against high fuel prices was called.
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