Stay ahead of potential risks and ensure the safety of your employees with Friday Risk Watch, a weekly newsletter curated by our Global Intelligence Team.
Expect updates on emerging risks, geopolitical developments, weather forecasts, etc. We’ll notify you of the latest incidents that could impact your organization, allowing you to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.
What We’re Watching
Tropical Cyclone Chido Expected to Make Landfall in Mayotte and Comoros Islands: Tropical Cyclone Chido quickly strengthened past expectations, reaching Category 4 hurricane equivalent strength on Wednesday. Major hurricane impacts are likely for Madagascar today before the system affects Mayotte, Comoros, and Mozambique this weekend.
Chido passed closely to the north of the Sava and Diana regions of Northern Madagascar earlier today and is expected to make its first landfall in Mayotte and Comoros Islands tomorrow. Chido will likely make another landfall in Northern Mozambique on Sunday, possibly as hurricane equivalent strength.
The system has a fairly small radius and will bring significant rain and strong winds along its path. Rainfall totals could exceed 100-200 mm (4-8 in), while wind gusts could peak over 215 km/h (130 mph) near the center as it moves across the Mozambique Channel.
Tropical Cyclone Chido rapidly intensified earlier this week, and the environment appears favorable for the system to maintain strength across the Mozambique Channel. Strong to significant hurricane impacts are expected for Mayotte and Comoros. However, the storm is likely to weaken over the weekend, which could reduce its effects on Mozambique.
Demonstrations Expected in Pakistan as Khan Prepares to Announce New Protest Movement: Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan who is currently imprisoned on dozens of charges, has promised to release details of a new civil disobedience campaign against the government on Saturday if officials refuse to meet his demands. Khan is calling on the government to release “political prisoners” and form judicial commissions to investigate fatal protests that took place on May 9, 2023, and in late November of 2024.
Khan called supporters to converge on Peshawar on Sunday, which he designated as “Martyrs’ Day” to honor those who lost their lives in protests against the government. As part of Martyrs’ Day, supporters plan to hold memorials, with the main gathering planned for Bagh-e-Naran at 1 pm.
Overseas chapters of the PTI are planning additional actions. In Manchester, PTI supporters plan to gather at 3 pm on Saturday outside the Consulate General of Pakistan before proceeding to the JobCentre. The following day, the PTI chapter in London plans to protest outside 10 Downing St at 1 pm.
Supporters of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attend a rally demanding his release, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Photo: REUTERS/Waseem Khan
Georgia Seeing Daily Demonstrations Over Elections, EU Accession: Demonstrations will likely spike in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia this weekend. The country’s parliament, led by the Russia-aligned Georgian Dream party, is expected to select a new president on Saturday to replace pro-European Union President Salome Zourabichvili.
Demonstrations against the suspension of EU accession talks in the wake of the October 26 elections resulted in large and often violent demonstrations, with security using significant force to disperse crowds. Tbilisi has seen daily protests for over two weeks, with authorities and human rights groups reporting that police have arrested approximately 400 demonstrators. The EU plans to discuss additional measures against Georgian authorities due to concerns about demonstrators being tortured.
The State Security Service of Georgia warned that criminal actors will “prevent the election” on Saturday and that their protest actions will “result in the death of 2-3 people.” President Zourabichvili condemned the security service’s statement and signaled support for continued protests against the election and the suspension of EU talks.
President Zourabichvili has stated she will not leave office when her term ends, and opposition parties have boycotted parliamentary sessions as they push for a new election. They have repeatedly denounced the results of the October vote, saying they were marred by alleged Russian interference and irregularities.
South Korea to See Further Demonstrations Against President Yoon as He Faces Second Impeachment Vote: People continue to take to the streets in South Korea to demand President Yoon Suk-yeol's removal after he briefly declared martial law on December 3. Once again, tens of thousands are expected to gather outside the National Assembly in Seoul on Saturday as the opposition prepares for another impeachment vote.
On December 7, Yoon dodged an impeachment attempt after members of his party blocked the ruling. Yoon faces a second impeachment vote this Saturday around 5 pm.
On Saturday, several social, civic, and political groups are calling for their supporters to gather at the National Assembly in Seoul at 3 pm. Several other cities will also see concurrent actions. Organizers claimed that over a million people attended last Saturday’s rally.
Should the impeachment vote fail again, further demonstrations will likely occur. Other sectors may join an ongoing strike call by Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). (Note: the following links are in Korean.) While railway workers have since ended a week-long walkout, the Korean Metal Workers’ Union launched a general strike on December 11.
Protesters hold a banner depicting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's face on a cartoon train, as they take part in a rally calling for his impeachment near the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon
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