Angolan writer and former political prisoner republishes book on practical tools against dictatorships

August 29, 2025

Journalist and human rights defender Domingos da Cruz has released a new edition of his book "Tools to Destroy the Dictator and Avoid a New Dictatorship," which provides methods for civil resistance in authoritarian contexts like Angola and Mozambique. Da Cruz was previously detained in 2015 after discussing the first edition of his book at a conference, spending nine months in custody or house arrest before being released in 2016. The updated version includes contributions from academics across Brazil, Mozambique, and Angola, and was recently censored in Angola, prompting Da Cruz to make it available for free online.

Who is affected

Angolan and Mozambican citizens living under authoritarian regimes
Civil society organizations and activists in these countries
Journalists and human rights defenders
The "15+2" group of activists who were detained with Da Cruz
Artists and content creators who could use their platforms for resistance
New generations who need education about preserving democracy

What action is being taken

Da Cruz is sharing his book with Mozambican activists and academics
The book has been made available for free online after being censored in Angola
Civil society movements like Mudei are monitoring elections and press coverage
Some artists are creating social commentary through their work
Protests against socio-economic crises are occurring in Angola
Political and philosophical exchanges between Portuguese-speaking countries are being promoted

Why it matters

Angola and Mozambique continue to face human rights violations, including restrictions on freedoms of press, expression, and association
The book provides practical tools for civil resistance in authoritarian contexts
Da Cruz argues that elections in Angola are "simulations to legitimize power" rather than genuine democratic processes
Civil society needs to be vigilant as "freedom is not guaranteed" and "democracies can also fall"
The strategies outlined could potentially lead to democratic change in countries with long-standing authoritarian regimes
The censorship of the book demonstrates the ongoing restrictions on free expression

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices