Angolan Civil Society Groups Urge Argentine Football Federation and Lionel Messi to Cancel Friendly Match Amid Human Rights Concerns
A coalition of Angolan civil society organizations is calling on the Argentine Football Federation and international soccer star Lionel Messi to cancel a planned friendly match scheduled for November in Luanda, Angola. The plea comes in the wake of violent protests in Angola that resulted in the deaths of 30 people and left over 270 injured, with approximately 1,500 arrested.
The protests, sparked by fuel price increases, escalated into the most significant unrest Angola has seen in decades. Four civil society organizations, including Catholic, legal, and pro-democracy groups, have penned an open letter to the Argentine Football Association, the national team, and Messi’s charity foundation, accusing Angolan authorities of systematic repression.
The letter argues that withdrawing from the match would be a noble gesture of international solidarity and respect for human rights. Despite being one of Africa’s leading oil producers, Angola struggles with widespread poverty, with nearly a third of its 38 million residents living below the poverty line.
The groups highlighted that public funds are being directed towards major sporting events while many citizens grapple with chronic hunger and widespread food insecurity. A report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reveals that 22.5% of Angola’s population suffers from undernourishment.
Only a small fraction of the population benefits from economic opportunities, primarily those connected to the ruling MPLA party, which has held power since Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975. The organizations emphasized that canceling the match would send a strong message in support of the Angolan people’s struggle for human rights and social justice.
The match, intended to celebrate Angola’s 50th independence anniversary, has become a focal point for activists seeking to draw attention to the country’s human rights situation. The Argentine Football Federation and Lionel Messi have yet to respond to the letter, but the international community is watching closely, awaiting their decision on the matter.
