Portugal: Unionized rail staff to strike nationwide, Jan. 3-6
Unionized rail workers will strike nationwide, Jan. 3-6. Train drivers affiliated with the National Union of Train Drivers of Portuguese Railways (SMAQ) are in a pay dispute with the rail operating company, Comboios de Portugal (CP). As of Dec. 31, CP predicts that rail service disruptions will occur from late Jan. 3 to early Jan. 6, with Jan. 4-5 being the most severely affected.
For the period Jan. 4-5, the services affected will include:
- Pendular Alpha and Intercities
- Regional, Interregional, and International trains
- Porto and Coimbra Urban Trains
- Lisbon Urban Trains.
Overcrowding is likely on available modes of public transport in the coming days. Increased demand for private transportation, including taxis and rental vehicles, is also possible. Traffic congestion will likely be heavier than usual as more commuters resort to using their vehicles rather than public transport. Residual delays are possible for some hours after the strike ends.
Tanzania: Tanzanite Bridge in Dar es Salaam to close Jan. 2-9
The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) will close the Tanzanite Bridge in Dar es Salaam, Jan. 2-9. The closure has been ordered for safety reasons as officials install the Tanzanite logo. TANROADS has advised motorists to utilize Kaunda and Ali Hassan Mwinyi roads. Increased congestion and road travel disruptions are likely in the impacted area for the duration of the closure.
Egypt: Increased security is likely Jan. 7 during the Coptic Christian Christmas observance
Egyptian authorities will likely increase security nationwide ahead of the Coptic Christian observance of Christmas Jan. 7. The Interior Ministry will likely deploy additional security forces near churches and vital state facilities leading up to the holiday observance. Security forces may also establish checkpoints on major roads near Coptic houses of worship. Localized traffic disruptions are possible.
Peru: Protests are likely to resume nationwide in early January; some travel and business disruptions possible
Protests are likely to resume in Peru in early January, in response to the Dec. 7 arrest of then-President Pedro Castillo. His arrest and removal led to widespread protests and disruptions, at times turning violent, in multiple locations nationwide. While protests mostly ended in late December, several organizations in southern Peru plan to resume demonstrations Jan. 4 to demand Castillo's release from prison, the closing of the national Congress, and early elections in 2023. The organizations intend to hold regional strikes and protests in the departments of Puno, Cusco, Apurimac, Moquegua, Madre de Dios, Ayacucho, and Arequipa. Details of the demonstrations have not been announced, but they may include building roadblocks throughout these regions. Air transport disruptions are also possible. During the initial days of the protests several airports were affected by the demonstrations, including Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport (AQP), Alfredo Mendivil Duarte Airport (AYP), Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), and Manco Capac International Airport (JUL). Demonstrations in other areas are also likely to resume Jan. 4, including Lima, where protesters have repeatedly gathered at Plaza San Martin. From there, demonstrators often attempt to march to the Congress building on Avenida Abancay.
A state of emergency remains in effect nationwide until at least mid-January. Under the state of emergency, several constitutional rights are suspended, including the right to transit, the right to assembly, and the right to be free from warrantless searches. The state of emergency further authorizes the armed forces to engage in law enforcement activities, such as policing protests.
According to the minister of defense, under the emergency measures, the armed forces will mobilize to reopen roads that have been blocked by protesters. Military troops will also protect airports and other critical infrastructure. As part of the measures, police and military forces have implemented strict security protocols at some airports; at Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), which serves Lima and Callao, security forces are only permitting ticketed passengers to enter the airport premises.
Further clashes between protesters and police, as well as between supporters of rival political parties, cannot be ruled out. Protest-related disruptions to transport and business are likely to continue in early January.
Quelle: Crisis24
