Author: WAJ Team

A food security report supported by the United Nations determined on Thursday that over a year of conflict in Sudan has driven certain regions of North Darfur into famine, including a camp for displaced individuals sheltering over 500,000 people. The report indicates that, for the first time in the history of the IPC survey in Sudan, extreme hunger conditions are expected, with 14 regions identified as “at risk of famine” in the near future, according to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. Although it provides the necessary evidence, the IPC does not officially declare famine. The IPC indicates that severe hunger is…

In her final Olympic appearance, Tatjana Smith added another remarkable chapter to her storied career. While she didn’t achieve the fairytale ending of retaining her 200m breaststroke gold medal, she secured a silver medal behind the USA’s Kate Douglass in a highly competitive race. Smith gave her all in the thrilling race, ultimately finishing with a smile. Afterward, she confirmed it was her last Olympic race. It was a fitting conclusion to an illustrious career. The determination and tenacity she displayed in defending her 200m breaststroke title highlighted her legacy as much, if not more, than her impressive haul of…

On Thursday, South Africa’s government condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, warning that it could escalate the turmoil in the Middle East. The attack in Tehran is widely believed to have been executed by Israel, though there has been no official comment from the Israeli government. South Africa, a strong critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, has drawn comparisons between the plight of Palestinians and the experiences of Black South Africans during apartheid—an analogy Israel disputes. The South African government expressed concern that the killing of Haniyeh and ongoing attacks on Gaza civilians could further heighten regional tensions.…

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has revealed Uganda’s inaugural electric mobility expo alongside an open house event at the Kiira Vehicle Plant (KVP). The expo is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja, running from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Held under the theme “The Future is Green; The Future is Now,” this pioneering event aims to explore, showcase, and promote the adoption of electric mobility solutions in Uganda. The Kiira Vehicle Open House and E-Mobility Expo 2024 will bring together over 200 industry leaders, potential customers, suppliers, policymakers, investors, innovators, and the public to…

The 7th SADC Industrialization Week (SIW) commenced on Sunday, with the theme “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialized SADC.” This event served as a precursor to the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, which took place on August 17 in Harare, where President Mnangagwa assumed the Chairmanship of the regional bloc. Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga and other dignitaries arrived at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). President Mnangagwa also arrived for the official opening ceremony. Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of…

The term “invasive alien birds” might sound like a plotline from a Hollywood thriller, but for residents of coastal Kenya, it’s a serious issue. Concerned about the disturbances caused by Indian house crows, authorities have initiated a campaign to cull a million of these birds. Unlike the human-targeted terror of Hitchcock’s The Birds, these crows have been causing significant problems for years by preying on wildlife, raiding tourist spots, and attacking poultry farms. The first phase of this eradication effort involves using poison in Watamu and Malindi, with the goal of preventing the crows from advancing toward Nairobi. Known locally…

On Thursday, security sources reported that a bomb detonated in a teahouse in a village in northeastern Nigeria, resulting in 19 deaths and injuring around 24 others. The explosion that occurred Wednesday night in Kawuri village, Borno State, stands out as one of the most lethal in recent years in northeast Nigeria, a region where jihadist violence has been decreasing. Ibrahim Liman, a member of an anti-jihadist militia collaborating with the army, reported, that the blast at a teahouse around 8:00 pm resulted in 19 deaths and 27 injuries. This information was corroborated by two other militia members.

On Wednesday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party appointed Junet Mohamed, the Suna East MP, as the new Minority Leader in the National Assembly. Junet has taken over the role previously held by Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi, who was recently appointed by President William Ruto as the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary. In a related move, the ODM party has nominated Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo as the new Minority Whip in the National Assembly, succeeding Junet Mohamed in that position.Meanwhile, Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts…

Since the start of the year, at least 163 people have died from Lassa fever, with 933 cases confirmed in the West African country. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDCP) has reported that 163 people have died from Lassa fever so far this year, with 933 cases confirmed. At the same time in 2023, 165 deaths were reported from 165 confirmed cases. For 2024, Lassa fever has been recorded in 28 states and 125 local government areas across Nigeria, which includes 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Bauchi, Edo, and Ondo states account for 65%…

After surviving a drone attack in eastern Sudan on Wednesday, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto ruler, rejected any negotiations with the RSF paramilitaries. The army reported that the drone strike on a ceremony at the Gibet base, where Burhan was attending a graduation event, resulted in five fatalities. Addressing his troops at the base following the attack, Burhan vowed, “We will not retreat, we will not surrender, and we will not negotiate,” despite appearing unharmed. “We are not afraid of drones,” he declared at the Gibet base, located approximately 100 kilometers from Port Sudan, where the army-backed government…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has enacted a law granting the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) the authority to probe serious crimes involving police officers and municipal police members, regardless of whether they are on or off duty. In a statement on Wednesday, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for the Presidency, noted that the new law enables IPID to investigate any fatalities resulting from the actions of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) or municipal police services. Magwenya stated, “IPID now has the authority to investigate cases of rape involving members of the SAPS or municipal police services, whether they were on…

According to the latest report from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Rwanda requires an annual investment of at least $3.4 billion to achieve significant structural transformation, which would boost productivity and shift the country towards a knowledge-based economy. The report, titled “Driving Rwanda’s Transformation: The Reform of the Global Financial Architecture,” was released on July 31 and aligns with AfDB’s annual economic outlook. It evaluates how different countries have accessed the necessary finance for their structural transformation and advocates for a reformation of the global financial system to better support African economies. Structural transformation involves moving from low-productivity, labor-intensive sectors…

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Ouagadougou, the National Police, National Gendarmerie, and National Fire Brigade hosted the inaugural feedback workshop (RETEX). The session, led by Inspector General of Police Jean-Alexandre Darga, Director General of the National Police, focused on the theme “What synergy of actions in the face of security challenges?” To improve field operations, the internal security forces paused to exchange experiences. This feedback meeting (RETEX) will be an ongoing initiative. Commander Kouagri Natama, Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, praised the initiative and emphasized the value of sharing experiences in combating insecurity. “These individual experiences become…

Human Rights Watch has accused Tanzania of forcibly removing indigenous tribes from their ancestral land in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. According to a report released on Wednesday, the rights group details a Tanzanian government program aimed at relocating 82,000 people to repurpose the land for wildlife conservation, tourism, and hunting. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located in northern Tanzania, is a U.N. World Heritage Site managed by the Tanzanian government. The Maasai tribe has coexisted with wild animals in the area for centuries. In 2022, the Tanzanian government initiated a program to promote the voluntary relocation of the Maasai tribe from…

Sudan’s military leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has survived an assassination attempt, according to the army spokesman. Nabil Abdallah attributed the attack to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been in conflict with the army for the past 16 months over control of the country. The spokesperson reported that two drones targeted an army graduation ceremony, resulting in the deaths of five individuals at a base in Jabait, an area under military control. The RSF has yet to comment on the incident, which follows the recent agreement by Gen Burhan’s government to conditionally participate in US-mediated peace talks…

The government has achieved notable advancements in resolving court cases through various Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, leading to substantial financial savings and more efficient judicial processes. In the 2023/2024 period, over 12,000 cases were settled through mediation and plea-bargaining, resulting in a savings of Rwf 7,504,967,480 from 38 mediation trials. In the previous year, 2022/2023, the country saved Rwf 9,558,832,028 using similar approaches, and the year before saw savings of over Rwf 11 billion. According to Harrison Mutabazi, a court spokesperson, 6,848 cases have been resolved through mediation over the past seven years. In the 2023/2024 judicial year alone,…