Civil unrest
Bangladesh
Following initial unrest on 25 October, thousands of garment manufacturing workers continue to protest throughout Gazipur District and in Dhaka to demand increased wages. Some demonstrations have turned violent as protesters have blockaded roads, looted factories, and set vehicles and buildings on fire, prompting police to respond with tear gas, rubber bullets and sound grenades. At least four people have been killed, and police have issued criminal charges against 18,000 workers participating in the unrest. Nearly 300 factories have suspended operations indefinitely. On 7 November, the government increased wages by 56 percent, but workers demand almost double that and will likely continue rioting until a resolution is reached.
civil unrest
Israel
Protests have taken place throughout November amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly demanding increased action to secure the release of 240 hostages taken by Hamas militants during the group’s initial offensive on 7 October. On 18 November, for example, 20,000 people marched along the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway before rallying outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. On 24 November, Israel and Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire – initially scheduled to last four days, but later extended – during which Hamas released dozens of hostages, and Israel released detained Palestinian civilians. While this deal may ease some frustrations, public support for Netanyahu remains extremely low. Anti-government sentiment over a range of other issues, including demands for senior government leadership to take accountability for intelligence and security failures surrounding the attack, will drive further unrest in the coming months.
War
Yemen
On 19 November, Yemen-based Houthi militants boarded a cargo vessel in the southern Red Sea transiting from Turkey to India. Houthis, who support Hamas in the ongoing conflict with Israel, claimed they targeted the vessel due to it being owned by an Israeli businessman. However, Israel claims the vessel is owned by a UK-based company and operated by a Japanese firm, and that no Israeli nationals were on board. No casualties were reported, and the ship was rerouted to Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Al Hudaydah Port, where it remains. Houthis have committed to ensuring the safety of the crew, and negotiations for the vessel’s release are ongoing. The incident highlights the elevated security threats currently facing vessels with real or perceived links to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, particularly in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandeb Strait.
civil unrest
Panama
On 28 November, Panama’s Supreme Court ruled to annul a controversial law (Law 406) which provides for a mining contract between the state and a Panamanian subsidiary of a Canadian-owned mining firm. The law, and by association the mine’s operations, have been subject to severe controversy over the last few years. Public anger escalated in 2023, driving intensified countrywide strikes and roadblocks. In November, protesters blockaded the company’s terminal at Colon Port to prevent supplies from reaching the mine, significantly disrupting operations. While the Supreme Court has ruled Law 406 unconstitutional, impacting the legality of the mine’s current contract, this will not necessarily result in the complete cessation of mining operations in the longer term, particularly if the contract is renegotiated and gazetted in line with constitutional requirements. While the ruling may ease unrest in the coming months, there remains the threat of renewed protests in the longer term if the company resumes operations, particularly as other grievances like environmental concerns remain unaddressed.
civil unrest
Argentina
On 19 November, libertarian candidate Javier Milei won Argentina’s presidential election by a significant (12 percent) margin over Minister of Economy Sergio Massa. Milei’s administration faces a severe cost-of-living crisis, with annual inflation reaching 140 percent in October 2023. Milei’s campaign championed various controversial economic proposals, including cutting public spending by 15 percent, which would impact more than 80 percent of Argentines who benefit from subsidies or public employment. Although he lacks a congressional majority and will struggle to push through his more radical reforms, protests have already occurred against several of Milei’s proposals. On 23 November, demonstrators in Buenos Aires denounced his proposal to privatise education and healthcare and have planned further protests in December over plans to reduce public spending. Should Milei’s government fail to deliver on its mandate to address Argentina’s struggling economy, unrest will continue in the coming year.
civil unrest
Spain
On 18 November, around 170,000 people demonstrated in Madrid amid ongoing countrywide protests denouncing the government’s deal to grant amnesty to Catalan separatist leaders. The agreement, which pardoned nine leaders arrested after a 2017 Catalan independence referendum, enabled Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to form a coalition government following an inconclusive snap election in July. However, demonstrators and other critics of the deal accuse Sanchez of prioritising his own political survival ahead of the interests of the country. Security forces have frequently clashed with protesters, resulting in injuries to both security personnel and activists. Anti-government sentiment remains high, and the protests are likely to continue in the coming months.
War
Sudan
On 26 October, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured South Darfur’s capital, Nyala, from Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The city’s capture underscores the increasing momentum of the RSF’s campaign within Darfur and indicates the paramilitary group’s intent to advance further in the region, particularly on Al Fasher, North Darfur’s capital. The SAF faces mounting pressure from RSF fighters in the region, prompting two other rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) and Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM), to join the conflict in support of the SAF. The RSF’s ongoing campaign, coupled with the introduction of JEM and SLM fighters in the conflict, will likely intensify clashes in Darfur over the coming months.
War
DRC
Clashes between M23 rebels and security forces, backed by the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF), resumed in North Kivu Province during October and November, following the expiration of a six-month truce. The rebels briefly seized control of Kitshanga, regained some territory they had ceded at the beginning of the ceasefire, and have advanced towards key towns, including Goma. Clashes will likely persist in the coming weeks, and the deteriorating security situation in North Kivu poses an elevated threat of terrorism and political violence in the general elections scheduled for 20 December 2023.
civil unrest
US
On 1 November, unionised teachers affiliated with the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) began a strike in Portland, Oregon, against the Portland Public Schools (PPS) urban school district, following 10 months of unsuccessful negotiations over demands for increased salaries and reduced class sizes. In late November, 81 district schools were forced to suspend activities for 11 days. Teachers and supporters have also held numerous pickets and marches outside school campuses. The district and union representatives have reportedly made progress on salary negotiations, although continued opposition to demands on class sizes is likely to drive further protests.
civil unrest
Canada
On 21 November, 420,000 unionised public sector workers began a three-day strike in Québec Province to demand salary increases and other benefits. On 23 November, a further 80,000 nurses and healthcare staff initiated a two-day strike, joining pickets in Montreal, while an additional 65,000 teachers launched an indefinite province-wide strike. Quebec Premier François Legault has indicated he will likely agree to wage increases, although it is unclear that this concession will meet workers’ demands, or appeal to all unions involved, which could sustain strike action in the coming weeks.
