标签： Africa

In a powerful display of dissent, thousands of Tunisians flooded the streets of downtown Tunis on Saturday to protest against President Kais Saied’s increasingly authoritarian governance. The rally, organized under the slogan “Against Injustice,” united families of political detainees, activists, and citizens from diverse ideological backgrounds. Over 1,000 demonstrators, some clad in black, chanted slogans such as “The people want to overthrow the regime,” “What a great country! Oppression and tyranny!” and “No fear no terror, the street belongs to the people.” The protest reflects a broader wave of unrest across Tunisia, fueled by political repression and economic instability under Saied’s rule. Earlier in the week, journalists staged demonstrations against the government’s crackdown on press freedom and the suspension of prominent civil society organizations. Protesters also condemned Saied’s interference in the judiciary and accused him of using law enforcement to target political opponents. Ayoub Amara, one of the protest organizers, emphasized the rally’s dual focus: highlighting the plight of political prisoners and addressing broader grievances, including environmental protests in Gabes and arbitrary arrests under anti-terrorism laws. Monia Brahim, the wife of jailed opposition figure Abdelhamid Jlassi, joined the march, stating, “Many Tunisians are facing deep injustice.” She asserted that political prisoners are being held hostage for their principles and activism. Among the detainees is constitutional law professor Jawher Ben Mbarek, who has been on a hunger strike for over 20 days. Human Rights Watch has raised alarms over the escalating repression, noting that over 50 individuals, including politicians, lawyers, journalists, and activists, have been arbitrarily arrested or prosecuted since late 2022. The rights group criticized the misuse of anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws to suppress dissent. Saied, who suspended parliament and centralized power in July 2021, claims his actions are necessary to combat corruption and restore state institutions. However, critics argue that his measures have undermined Tunisia’s democratic progress since the 2011 revolution.

The inaugural G20 Leaders’ Summit in Africa commenced in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025, under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.’ Hosted by South Africa, the summit brought together over 40 heads of state to address pressing global issues, including inclusive growth, debt relief for developing nations, and equitable energy transitions. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the urgency of bridging economic, gender, racial, and geographic divides, stating that such disparities are unsustainable and hinder global progress. He highlighted the adoption of a joint declaration as a testament to the efficacy of multilateralism, calling it a ‘message of hope and solidarity.’ Ramaphosa also underscored the need for reforms in the global financial architecture to tackle emerging challenges, such as climate-driven disasters and debt sustainability for low-income countries. The summit prioritized mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth, and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Ramaphosa warned that escalating geopolitical tensions, global warming, pandemics, and inequality threaten humanity’s shared future, particularly for nations unable to recover from climate-induced disasters. He urged the global community to scale up post-disaster reconstruction efforts and protect the G20’s integrity, emphasizing that the Johannesburg summit must strengthen the forum’s credibility.

Premier Li Qiang of China arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, November 21, 2025, to participate in the 20th G20 Summit. This marks a historic occasion as it is the first time the G20 Summit is being held on the African continent. The summit, scheduled for November 23-24, is themed ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,’ reflecting South Africa’s presidency focus on inclusive growth, reducing inequalities, and prioritizing African-driven agendas. Key topics on the agenda include climate financing, global economic recovery, food security, artificial intelligence governance, and bridging the digital divide, alongside advancing sustainable development goals. The summit convenes amidst a rapidly evolving international landscape, sluggish global economic growth, and widening development disparities. China, through its Foreign Ministry, has expressed its commitment to enhancing international solidarity and cooperation, advocating for multilateralism, and fostering an open world economy. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized China’s support for South Africa’s G20 presidency and its readiness to collaborate with other nations to build consensus on these critical issues. The G20, established in 1999, includes 19 countries and two regional bodies—the European Union and the African Union—representing approximately 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world’s population. Ma Hanzhi, an assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, highlighted that China aims to leverage the summit to promote the Global Governance Initiative, particularly advocating for increased representation and voice of the Global South in global financial and economic governance. This initiative seeks to foster an equal and orderly multipolar world and promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.