Thousands of individuals gathered in Luanda, Angola, on Saturday to voice their demand for President Joao Lourenco to relinquish his position.

Angola incumbent President Joao Lourenco gestures as he addresses an elections rally in Luanda on July 23, 2022. – Thousands of people called for Angola’s president Joao Lourenco to step down, during a rally in Luanda on August 5, 2023, organised by the country’s largest opposition party to commemorate its late leader. UNITA, a former rebel group turned political movement that lost a disputed election last year, has said it wants to initiate a parliamentary process to remove Lourenco from office, accusing the 69-year-old of being authoritarian. (Photo by Julio PACHECO NTELA / AFP)

Thousands of people called for Angola’s president Joao Lourenco to step down, during a rally in Luanda on Saturday organised by the country’s largest opposition party to commemorate its late leader.

UNITA, a former rebel group turned political movement that lost a disputed election last year, has said it wants to initiate a parliamentary process to remove Lourenco from office, accusing the 69-year-old of being authoritarian.

“Someone is responsible for famine, unemployment and the jailing of demonstrators. Who is he?” UNITA leader Adalberto Costa Junior asked a crowd of supporters waving red and green flags — the party colours — in Luanda.

“Joao Lourenco!” came the reply.

Demonstration on the President