We stand in full solidarity with the people of Morocco, Madagascar, Cameroon and, in particular, Tanzania, who are under immense pressure and whose cries must be heard. These crises, though unfolding in different contexts, reveal a shared struggle for justice, dignity, and accountable governance.
In Morocco, the youth-led Gen Z 212 movement has ignited one of the largest waves of mobilisation in recent memory, with over 2,400 people charged, at least 1,473 people remaining in custody awaiting trial, and three confirmed deaths following weeks of nationwide protests. In Madagascar, demonstrations sparked by chronic economic hardship, blackouts, and governance failures have resulted in at least 22 deaths and more than 100 injuries, marking the most severe civic unrest in years. In Cameroon, post-election protests have turned deadly, leaving four people killed in Douala and several others injured, amid a climate of fear, arbitrary detentions, and rising frustration over political exclusion.
Tanzania, however, now faces a tragedy of far greater scale. Following the 29 October 2025 general elections and mounting repression, mass demonstrations erupted across major cities, including Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, after opposition parties denounced electoral irregularities and intimidation. Reports indicate that around 1000 people have been killed in just a few days of unrest, while the United Nations Human Rights Office has confirmed credible evidence of at least 10 deaths, with hundreds injured and an unknown number detained. The deployment of the military, a nationwide curfew, and internet shutdowns have deepened the crisis and silenced communities at a time when dialogue is most needed. This devastating loss of life is a stark reminder of the dangers of state overreach and the urgent need to protect civic freedoms. As protests rage on across borders, Malawi now faces a triple shock: looming fuel shortages, disrupted trade, and mounting business losses. What began as a political crisis in Tanzania is fast becoming an economic storm for its southern neighbours.
African civil society organizations across the continent, convened under the auspices of CAN Africa, unite in calling for all African governments to respond to these moments of crisis not with repression, but with reflection, accountability, and empathy. We urge independent investigations into all deaths, injuries, and detentions; the immediate restoration of civil liberties; and open engagement with citizens, youth, and civil society. The demands voiced in the streets are not threats to stability, they are calls for fairness, inclusion, and a new social contract built on trust and dignity.
We stand with all those across the continent who continue to raise their voices for justice and freedom, often at great personal risk. Africa’s future must be built on dialogue, compassion, and the protection of every citizen’s right to be heard.
Climate Action Network Africa
31 October 2025
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