On the fifth anniversary of the fatal shooting of Inocêncio de Matos during a protest in Luanda, Angola, Amnesty International has renewed its call for justice. Inocêncio de Matos was killed in 2020 at a demonstration advocating for municipal elections promised by President João Lourenço. Vongai Chikwanda, Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International, emphasized that Matos posed no threat at the time of his shooting, highlighting a broader issue of impunity among Angolan security forces. You can read more details on the JURIST website.
Calls for accountability have intensified as the investigation by the Services for Criminal Investigations (SIC) remains shrouded in secrecy. Only witness statements from the victim’s side have been heard, and the outcome is yet to be disclosed. The protest was part of a wider movement pushing for electoral reform, improved living conditions, and civil liberties, which turned violent as security forces sought to disperse participants using tear gas and live ammunition.
This incident is not isolated. Reports documented by Human Rights Watch reveal a pattern of excessive force during protests, including those in July 2025 over economic grievances, where formal permission for protests was often met with violent police responses. At least 17 fatalities from protests between November 2020 and June 2023 remain unaccounted for, raising concern over the recurring violations of protestors’ rights.
The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined under Article 47 of the Angolan Constitution, and leading rights organizations urge the government to adhere to its obligations under international frameworks, such as Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Amnesty International’s persistent demands for unbiased investigations reflect the need for transparency and justice, arguing that holding security forces accountable is essential for fostering a culture of accountability and protection of civil freedoms in Angola.