LUANDA: Angolan police fired tear gas and warning shots yesterday to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters demonstrating in the capital against the disappearance and possible murder of two anti-government activists.
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos’ MPLA party accused the main UNITA opposition group this week of promoting “chaos” with its plans for nationwide rallies to tap into public anger in Africa’s number two oil producer at the two disappearances.
Prosecutors said last week that Isaias Cassule and Antonio Alves Camulingui, who were involved in organising protests by former presidential guards to demand payment of wage arrears, had been kidnapped and possibly murdered in May 2012. Angola’s Interior Ministry advised UNITA on Friday to cancel the rallies as they would coincide with a public march planned by the MPLA ruling party. A police spokesman later said they were not authorised and would endanger public order.
“We met as planned at 0900 GMT near the Santana cemetery but an hour and a half later police charged on us, using teargas, anti-riot and mounted police and dogs,” UNITA spokesman Alcides Sakala told reporters metres from the venue. Angolan police spokespersons did not answer several Reuters telephone calls asking for comment. As Sakala spoke, police charged on protesters behind him, firing teargas. Some protesters responded by throwing stones.
UNITA planned a march to the Primeiro de Maio Square but a large police contingent, which included helicopters flying over the area, continued to break up small groups using teargas along the busy avenue that links
the venues. REUTERS
