标签： Africa

In a dramatic turn of events in Guinea-Bissau, the main opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, has declared victory in the recent presidential election, accusing the incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of orchestrating a coup to avoid defeat. The allegations emerged following a military takeover on Wednesday, during which Embaló was reportedly arrested. Dias, a member of the Social Renewal Party, claimed in a widely circulated online video that the coup was fabricated to disrupt the election results, which were expected to be announced on Thursday. These assertions were echoed by civil society groups, though The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims. The opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, barred from participating in the vote, has thrown its support behind Dias, with its leader, former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, urging residents to protest against the coup and demand the release of the election results. Despite the political turmoil, life in the capital, Bissau, appeared to return to normal by Thursday morning, with businesses and public transport resuming operations. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a long history of political instability, including a coup attempt in October 2023. The country, a known hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, continues to grapple with political crises exacerbated by disputed elections. The recent events in Guinea-Bissau are part of a broader trend of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy is increasingly under threat. International bodies, including the United Nations, have expressed deep concern over the reported coup, condemning the actions and calling for a peaceful resolution.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep regret over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, Florida. Trump announced the exclusion on social media, citing South Africa’s refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. embassy representative during the recent summit in Johannesburg. ‘Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20,’ Trump stated. While G20 members typically do not require invitations, visa restrictions could effectively bar participation. Trump boycotted the Johannesburg summit based on widely discredited claims of white minority persecution in South Africa. Ramaphosa noted that the U.S. delegation’s absence was voluntary, and the G20 presidency was formally transferred to a U.S. embassy official in Pretoria. This low-key handover reportedly further angered Trump, who has been critical of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies. Ramaphosa lamented Trump’s punitive measures, which he claims are based on misinformation. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused South Africa of unworthiness for international membership and announced an immediate halt to all U.S. payments and subsidies to the country. South African officials have called for solidarity among G20 members to uphold the group’s integrity. The Johannesburg summit, the first held in Africa, concluded with a joint declaration on multilateral cooperation for climate change mitigation and economic inequality, despite U.S. objections.

In a dramatic turn of events, Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces declared on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, that they had taken full control of the nation. The announcement, broadcasted on national television, marked a significant escalation in the country’s political crisis. The military, operating under the banner of the ‘High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order,’ justified their actions as a necessary response to alleged attempts by certain politicians to destabilize the country. Army spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama stated that the ongoing electoral process had been immediately suspended, and a series of emergency measures were imposed. These measures included the closure of public institutions, suspension of media activities, and the sealing of all land, sea, and air borders. Additionally, a mandatory curfew was enforced from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time. Reports from local media indicated that heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in Bissau, the capital, around 1:00 p.m. local time. Residents fled the area as military personnel took control of the main road leading to the palace. Military sources revealed that several high-ranking government officials, including Interior Minister Botche Cande, Chief of the General Staff Biague Na Ntan, and Deputy Chief of Staff Mamadou Toure, were detained during the operation. By the time of reporting, Bissau had returned to apparent calm, with a significant decrease in pedestrian and vehicular traffic as the curfew approached. However, a large number of troops remained deployed at strategic locations across the city. The Chinese Embassy in Guinea-Bissau issued an emergency consular alert, urging Chinese citizens to enhance safety precautions, stay informed about local security updates, and avoid unnecessary travel. The embassy also advised citizens to report emergencies to the police and seek assistance from the embassy if needed. The political upheaval occurred just days after Guinea-Bissau launched its presidential and legislative elections, with over 960,000 registered voters set to choose a new head of state and 102 members of the National People’s Assembly.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is navigating a turbulent political landscape as he approaches the 2026 elections, facing both public discontent and criticism from opposition leaders. Recent incidents, including an attack by stone-throwers during a rally in the Copperbelt province, have highlighted the growing frustration among Zambians. Despite his administration’s efforts to stabilize the economy and address the nation’s debt crisis, many citizens feel disconnected from his leadership. Hichilema, in his first press conference in 18 months, defended his record, emphasizing achievements in debt renegotiation, inflation reduction, and attracting foreign investment. However, challenges such as persistent power shortages, high living costs, and unemployment continue to overshadow these successes. Critics, including opposition candidate Simon Mwila and academic Sishuwa Sishuwa, accuse Hichilema of abandoning his democratic principles and adopting oppressive measures, such as the controversial Cybersecurity Law. Hichilema has also faced backlash for supporting a constitutional review process that critics argue contradicts his previous stance. As the election looms, the president has called for patience, asserting that long-term investments and development programs require time to yield results. However, the recent unrest suggests that public patience may be wearing thin.