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Demonstrations held across several French cities on Saturday, 24 October, resulted in at least 1,314 arrests, 53 injured security officers and dozens of vandalised businesses. The protests, organised against the rising cost of living and in defence of public services, attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, according to figures released by France's Ministry of the Interior.
According to a provisional report published on Sunday, 25 October, authorities recorded 289 demonstrations and gatherings across the country, involving approximately 410,000 participants. However, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) estimated that around 800,000 people took part in the protests.
In Paris, police counted 110,000 demonstrators, while organisers estimated approximately 250,000 participants. The differences between official figures and union estimates reflect longstanding disagreements over how protest attendance is calculated.
Despite the high number of arrests, the Ministry of the Interior stated that most demonstrations remained relatively peaceful, particularly along routes previously agreed upon by organisers and local authorities.
However, clashes between protesters and police were reported in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes and Strasbourg. According to authorities, some groups were involved in acts of vandalism, attacks on police officers and damage to public and private property.
The official report also recorded 75 interventions related to fires and the looting of 24 commercial establishments. Authorities have launched several investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents and identify those responsible.
The demonstrations took place under heightened security measures, involving approximately 70,000 police officers and members of the Gendarmerie. The French Government had announced preventive measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of the violence recorded during demonstrations on 17 October.
During those earlier protests, authorities reported 2,628 arrests and approximately 550,000 participants, alongside numerous incidents of vandalism and clashes with security forces.
The latest wave of demonstrations reflects growing social discontent in France, particularly over purchasing power, the quality of public services and the Government's economic policies.
Participants included trade unions, students and members of social movements demanding concrete government action to address worsening living conditions.
Meanwhile, trade unions have announced further demonstrations, including a nationwide strike scheduled for 5 November, aimed at increasing pressure on the French Government.
The Ministry of the Interior stressed that the figures relating to arrests and incidents remain provisional and may be updated as police assessments are completed.
The Mozambican Government has decided to extend until March 2029 the validity of a $2.25 billion sovereign guarantee granted to creditors of the Mozambique LNG project, led by French energy giant TotalEnergies in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, Cabo Delgado province. The decision follows a revision of the financial timetable for the project, valued at approximately $20 billion.
Mozambique’s Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and Ministry of Finance are discussing mechanisms to settle outstanding payments owed to teachers, including overtime compensation, additional teaching shifts, salaries and career progression entitlements. The two institutions are also seeking financial resources to ensure the printing and distribution of school textbooks for the 2027 academic year.
Mozambique and Russia have expressed their intention to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation, with the aim of identifying new investment opportunities and expanding bilateral relations. The commitment was highlighted on Monday, 26 October, during a meeting between Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, in Moscow.
US President Donald Trump raised allegations of fraud in Brazil’s presidential election on Monday, 26 October, following the re-election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a fourth term. Despite questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process, the American leader provided no evidence of irregularities.
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England striker Harry Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, won the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Monday, 26 October, beating France’s Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Spain’s Lamine Yamal of Barcelona. The award, presented by France Football magazine, recognises the 33-year-old as the world’s best footballer following a season marked by an outstanding goalscoring performance.
The Mozambican Government is preparing to open document application centres in South Africa, Portugal and England within the next six months, aiming to improve access to public services for citizens living abroad and reduce the costs associated with travelling back to Mozambique.
Mozambique’s National Energy Fund (FUNAE) plans to complete ten electrification projects by June 2027, as part of efforts to accelerate electricity access across the country, particularly in rural areas. The initiative follows financial constraints that have delayed construction works and the maintenance of energy infrastructure in several regions.
The Angolan Government has proposed a 10% salary increase for public sector employees in 2027, a move that has drawn criticism from trade unions, which consider the proposed adjustment insufficient compared with a 2024 agreement that envisaged a cumulative 100% salary increase over three years.
