Politics Bound

Tunisia’s largest trade union, the UGTT, has called a nationwide general strike for January 21, 2025, to protest growing pressure on critics and the suspension of traditional wage talks with the government. The move marks a sharp escalation in a country where the union once brokered democratic compromise but now warns that political centralization, economic hardship, and stalled social dialogue are pushing Tunisia toward a new period of instability.

Morocco’s former minister Mohamed Ziane remains in detention due to two separate criminal cases, one finalized and one still under cassation review. Authorities argue the detention is legally required, while international rights groups challenge aspects of the proceedings.

Military forces in Guinea-Bissau seized power on November 26, one day before presidential election results were scheduled for release, with regional leaders and civil society groups questioning whether the takeover was orchestrated to prevent an electoral defeat. The electoral commission now says vote tallies were destroyed during the chaos, making it impossible to determine the election’s legitimate winner.

The United States has opened a formal review into whether specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood meet the legal criteria for terrorism designation, signaling a procedural shift without yet issuing any listing. The process focuses on country-level chapters and remains under evaluation by the State and Treasury Departments.