• Reports indicate that civil society activists are slated to gather at the Santa Ana Cemetery in Luanda at 10:00 (local time) on March 20. They will reportedly march to the Largo da Independencia monument at 12:00 (local time).
• At the time of writing, the exact route of the protest march remains unclear.
• The protest is reportedly taking place to condemn the current economic situation and demand an end to the high cost of living. Additionally, protesters are condemning the government’s decision to postpone the first municipal elections in 2021.

1. This protest highlights the civilians’ continued grievances against the government following President Joao Lourenco’s decision to postpone the 2021 municipal elections in September 2020. This is the 13th similar protest organized by civil society activists in Luanda since last September, with the latest one taking place on February 27. Despite the numerous protests, there have been no significant developments regarding the heightening economic strain, the government’s mismanagement, or the postponement of the municipal elections. To this end, sporadic protests are expected in the future.
2. FORECAST: Given precedence, the protest is expected to draw participation in the low-to-mid hundreds, leading to traffic disruptions along the protest march. Given the anti-government nature of the protest, there is likely to be a bolstered security presence in the vicinity of the Santa Ana Cemetery and the Largo da Independencia. Security forces may violently disperse these protests by firing teargas, as seen in previous protests, and may carry out mass arrests in an attempt to dissuade further demonstrations and disperse the crowd.

Those operating or residing in Luanda on March 20 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of the Santa Ana Cemetery and the Largo da Independencia monument during the late morning and afternoon hours due to the slated protest march and the associated potential for unrest.