Author: WAJ Team

Botswana Diamonds, a London-listed mining company, has applied for three new prospecting licenses to explore potential kimberlite anomalies identified through its cutting-edge AI-powered exploration program. This marks a significant step forward in the company’s mission to discover new diamond-bearing resources in Botswana, renowned for its rich diamond reserves. In December, Botswana Diamonds announced a breakthrough when its AI analysis pinpointed seven kimberlite anomalies, one of which already holds an active prospecting license. The new licenses, if granted, will cover three additional high-potential sites: northwest of Mahalapye, southwest of Jwaneng near the South African border, and northeast of Lerala. One of…

The South African rand gained momentum on Monday morning as global markets braced for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration and his upcoming policy statements. As investors looked ahead to a week filled with key domestic data releases, the rand traded at 18.6925 against the U.S. dollar at 0655 GMT, marking an approximate 0.5% gain from its previous close. The U.S. dollar was down by 0.2% against a basket of other major currencies, with global investors anticipating clarity on Trump’s fiscal policies as he embarks on his second presidency. Financial markets are closely monitoring these announcements for insights into the U.S.…

South African authorities have launched an urgent manhunt for a key member of a Lesotho-based gang following a deadly police operation at an illegal gold mine in Stilfontein, where 78 bodies were recovered last week. The suspect, known only as “Tiger,” is believed to have been in charge of operations at the mine, which had been under heavy police surveillance. During the operation, Tiger managed to escape custody with assistance from officials, raising serious concerns over potential corruption within law enforcement. The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed in a statement that an extensive investigation is underway to track down…

South African Airways (SAA) has officially resumed flights to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, marking its first return to the route in five years. This move is seen as a crucial step in the airline’s post-restructuring recovery and expansion strategy within the region. The resumption of daily flights to Tanzania’s commercial capital comes on the heels of SAA’s first profit since 2012, achieved last year. This financial success has paved the way for the airline to pursue growth opportunities, including expanding its network within Africa, according to reports from state broadcaster SABC. John Mamola, the interim CEO of South African Airways,…

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his Togolese counterpart, Faure Gnassingbé, held a series of closed-door meetings on Sunday, January 19, at Village Urugwiro, aimed at deepening the diplomatic and economic relations between their two nations. The private talks, which were followed by broader discussions with delegations from both sides, provided an opportunity to address key areas of mutual interest. The bilateral discussions centered on advancing cooperation in sectors critical to both countries, including agriculture, trade, investment, green financing, and energy. These sectors are seen as pivotal for driving sustainable development and economic growth in both Rwanda and Togo. Speaking…

As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, its decision to cull up to three million stray dogs has sparked significant international attention. The move, aimed at improving public spaces and the country’s image ahead of the global sporting event, has been met with criticism from animal welfare advocates and calls for humane alternatives. Methods Under Scrutiny Reports indicate that Moroccan authorities are employing methods such as poisoning stray dogs with strychnine, public shootings, and physical euthanasia in some cases. These actions have raised ethical concerns among international animal rights organizations. Groups advocating for…

Tunisia has called for immediate accountability from Israeli officials over their actions in Gaza, underscoring that the recent ceasefire should not impede the pursuit of justice for Palestinians. In a statement released on Saturday, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry stressed the need for continued international pressure to hold Israeli officials responsible for alleged war crimes and genocide committed against the Palestinian people. “The ceasefire agreement must not prevent global advocates for justice from holding the officials of the occupying power accountable for their heinous actions, including genocide and mass atrocities against the Palestinian people,” the ministry stated. Tunisia reiterated its strong…

In a tragic incident at Ghana’s Obuasi gold mining site in the Ashanti Region, at least nine people were killed and fourteen others seriously injured after a confrontation with military personnel on Saturday night. The victims, according to local officials, were unarmed small-scale miners. The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners confirmed that the attack occurred at the AngloGold Ashanti mine, with Kofi Adams, the association’s local chairman, reporting that the victims were not involved in any armed conflict. He condemned the incident, noting that in the past, trespassers had only been warned off with non-lethal measures. The Ghanaian armed…

Egypt has reopened the Rafah border crossing to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, following the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The decision, announced on Sunday, marks a significant effort to alleviate the dire conditions faced by civilians in the enclave after weeks of conflict. According to Egyptian authorities, an initial convoy of 95 trucks carrying food, medical supplies, and other essential goods crossed into Gaza early in the day. Efforts are underway to ensure the swift delivery of additional aid, with approximately 500 more trucks expected to follow throughout the day. The Rafah crossing,…

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appealed for peace and restraint following violent protests and the looting of Sudanese-owned businesses in the capital, Juba, in response to the alleged atrocities committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against South Sudanese civilians. In a national address on Friday, Kiir expressed his solidarity with those affected by the violence in Sudan, particularly in Al Gezira State’s capital, Wad Madani, where reports claim innocent South Sudanese citizens were targeted. The president condemned the killings as “inhumane” and “barbaric,” likening them to acts of terrorism. He stressed that such actions would not be…

At least 60 people have been killed and several others injured in northern Nigeria following a deadly petrol tanker explosion on Saturday. The incident occurred in Niger state, after the tanker overturned and its contents ignited, causing a massive fire. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the tragic event, with the explosion engulfing a second tanker nearby. The explosion is the latest in a series of deadly fuel-related accidents in Nigeria, a country struggling with both high levels of poverty and lax safety regulations. Most of the victims are believed to have been local residents who rushed to collect…

Malawi has announced an ambitious five-year plan to combat cholera, setting a target to reduce the disease’s annual incidence by 90% and lower the case fatality rate to under 1% by 2030. The initiative, named the Malawi Multi-Sectoral Cholera Control Plan (MMCCP), was launched on Thursday with the aim of enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and implementing targeted interventions to curb the disease’s spread. Officials say the plan is critical for addressing the root causes of cholera, which has remained a persistent health challenge in the country for decades. Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda highlighted the importance of the MMCCP, pointing to…

Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has appointed a new cabinet, naming 12 ministers, including the country’s second-ever female prime minister. Maria Benvinda Levi, a 55-year-old former justice minister and judge, will take on the role, marking a historic moment in the nation’s political landscape. Levi, who served as Mozambique’s justice minister from 2008 to 2015, becomes the second woman to hold the office of prime minister since the country gained independence in 1975. In addition to Levi’s appointment, Chapo made key changes to his government, including the appointment of Maria dos Santos Lucas, a seasoned diplomat, as foreign minister. Carla Alexandra…

Manuel Chang, the former finance minister of Mozambique, was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison by a U.S. court on Friday for his involvement in a $2 billion loan scandal. The loans, which were intended to fund state-backed projects in Mozambique’s fishing industry and maritime security, ultimately led to significant financial losses after the projects failed. Chang, 69, was convicted by a Brooklyn jury in August for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, who recommended that Chang be credited for the nearly six years he has already spent…

Brazil has officially announced Nigeria’s inclusion as a partner country in the BRICS bloc, signaling a significant shift in global alliances. The announcement was made on Friday by Brazil’s government, which holds the presidency of BRICS in 2025. The partnership comes as Brazil highlighted Nigeria’s increasing role in promoting cooperation across the Global South and advocating for reforms in global governance. These priorities resonate closely with Brazil’s vision for a more inclusive international order. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, is seen as a key player in the continent’s economic and political future. With its…

In the heart of Nigeria’s cocoa-producing region, farmers are facing unprecedented challenges as escalating theft and violence threaten to derail their livelihoods. In Araromi Oke-Odo, a rural community in Osun State, farmers are now forced to adopt new, more cautious methods of harvesting, after a surge in criminal activity has targeted their valuable crops. Once a routine task, the harvest of cocoa pods has become a risky venture. Farmers, armed with sickles and empty sacks, now head to their fields with the hope that their harvest will not be stolen before the day ends. The thefts, which have been growing…