Pro-democracy groups in Angola sent an open letter to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the world champion national team, and Lionel Messi's charitable foundation, calling for the cancellation of the friendly match scheduled for November in Luanda, Angola. The match is part of the African country's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The organizations criticize the match's holding amid a political and social crisis exacerbated by police repression of protests in July. The protests began after fuel price hikes, resulting in looting and clashes. According to data released by local organizations, at least 30 people died, more than 270 were injured, and 1,515 were arrested—considered the most violent episode in decades.
In the letter, the activists accuse the Angolan government of promoting "systematic repression" and demand a statement from the AFA and Messi. "Rejecting participation in this match would be a noble gesture of international solidarity and respect for human rights," they state.
Their criticism also extends to the use of public resources. "While public resources are channeled into high-level sporting events, thousands of children and adults face chronic hunger, severe anemia, and widespread food insecurity," they denounce.
Despite being one of Africa's leading oil producers, Angola faces high levels of inequality. According to the World Bank, nearly a third of its approximately 38 million inhabitants live in poverty. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that 22.5% of the population suffers from malnutrition.
Activists also claim that only a minority linked to the MPLA, the party that has governed the country since independence from Portugal in 1975, benefits from economic opportunities.
So far, AFA have not commented on the request to cancel the friendly.