Renew Europe has condemned what it describes as a serious escalation of violence against Angola’s main opposition movement, UNITA, after clashes in the northern

province of Uíge left dozens injured and disrupted a planned political gathering.

The European liberal group said the incidents on 8 August raised “extremely serious” questions about the treatment of UNITA and its leader, Adalberto Costa Júnior, as Angola moves towards its 2027 general election.

RENEWPAC — the political platform linking Renew Europe with its liberal, centrist and democratic partner parties across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific — said it was particularly alarmed by reports that security forces may have deliberately targeted Costa Júnior.

Jan-Christoph Oetjen, a German MEP from the Free Democratic Party and Co-President of RENEWPAC, called for an immediate independent investigation into the violence.

“Reports and eyewitness accounts alleging that security forces deliberately targeted UNITA President Adalberto Costa Júnior are extremely serious and require a swift, independent and impartial investigation. Any use of violence, intimidation or excessive force against political leaders, activists or citizens peacefully exercising their democratic rights is unacceptable."

According to the statement, 34 people were injured during the violence in Uíge, with 10 reportedly left in critical condition. The confrontation also prevented a scheduled political gathering from going ahead.

Oetjen said the use of force against politicians, activists or ordinary citizens exercising their democratic rights could not be justified.

The episode comes at a sensitive moment for Angola, where political parties are beginning to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election. Renew Europe argues that the campaign period must be conducted in an environment where opposition parties can organise meetings, address voters and campaign without intimidation.

“Political competition belongs at the ballot box, never in the streets through violence or coercion,” the group said.

RENEWPAC is now urging the Angolan authorities to establish an independent and credible account of what happened in Uíge, determine whether officials or other actors were responsible for abuses, and ensure proper medical support for those injured.

It is also calling on the government to protect freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and the right to participate in political life.

For Renew Europe, the issue extends beyond one confrontation. Angola’s political stability and long-term economic prospects, it argues, depend on functioning democratic institutions, genuine political pluralism and respect for fundamental freedoms.

With the 2027 election approaching, the events in Uíge have therefore become an early test of whether Angola can provide opposition parties with the political space required for a credible and peaceful electoral contest. Photo by vanessa lollipop, Wikimedia commons.