Author: WAJ Team

Rwandan champions APR FC are set to face a formidable challenge in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League, where they will meet Azam FC in the first preliminary round. Following a disappointing campaign last season, highlighted by a heavy 6-1 defeat to Pyramids FC, APR FC has embarked on a major recruitment drive to overcome the psychological barriers that have hindered Rwandan clubs in African competitions. This season is a pivotal opportunity for APR to make a significant impact and move past their historical constraints. In the CAF Confederation Cup, Police FC will also confront a tough challenge as they take…

Officials in the Central African Republic report that over the past month, at least 300 rebels have surrendered their weapons in a joint operation by UN peacekeepers and government troops. Although around 5,000 fighters have disarmed in the past decade, peace remains elusive in the troubled nation. The rebels who disarmed since June 10 are affiliated with the Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement (CPC), a network of six rebel groups formed in 2020 to disrupt the country’s presidential and legislative elections. Government spokesperson Balalou Maxime praised the approximately 250 CPC rebels for surrendering after military engagement and warned other…

Recent official data shows that, despite some progress, approximately 25% of Zimbabwe’s rural population has lacked access to toilets for the past five years. This marks a decrease from 30% at the start of the century. According to the latest report from the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC), which is overseen by the Food and Nutrition Council, the situation has remained stagnant. Currently, about half of Zimbabwe’s rural residents have access to basic toilets, while another 9% have limited access. Many others use toilets that have not been updated or improved. On average, around 25% of Zimbabwe’s rural population lacks…

On Thursday, the United States announced over $200 million—approximately R3.65 billion—in new aid for civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, including refugees in neighboring countries. Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a conflict between its regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described the situation as “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world” and revealed the US is allocating an additional $203 million in humanitarian aid to support those affected in Sudan, Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. This new funding adds to nearly $500 million already provided…

The 2024 Pan-African DataCentres Exhibition and Conference was held this week at the Sandton Convention Centre. The event brought together nearly 3,000 global data centre energy clients, along with 120 integrators, consulting firms, and industry associations. Attendees shared cutting-edge technologies, industry insights, and showcased innovative cases. Huawei played a significant role in the conference, presenting their latest perspectives and solutions for data centre development as Africa transitions into the intelligent era. Their contributions covered topics such as data centre investment, planning, construction, servicing, and solutions. Huawei also engaged with experts from prominent consulting firms and industry associations to discuss the…

Insecurity and economic shocks have led to displacement, resulting in alarming levels of acute malnutrition in northeast Nigeria. Children are bearing the brunt of unprecedented food insecurity during the worst lean season in years. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has raised alarm about the significant increase in cases of acute malnutrition among children at its treatment sites in Adamawa and Borno states. Babatunde Ojei, the IRC’s Country Director in Nigeria, reported that rising prices and attacks by non-state armed groups have severely undermined food security, disrupted humanitarian efforts, and restricted access to essential commodities, resulting in higher acute malnutrition rates.…

On Thursday afternoon, the Milimani High Court issued a temporary order suspending the protest ban imposed by Acting Inspector General Douglas Kanja in Nairobi and its surrounding areas. According to court documents, the court issued an order suspending the protest ban while it reviews a petition filed earlier on Thursday morning. The petition, submitted by the Katiba Institute against the State Law Office, was presented with urgency. The court’s orders state: “Pending the inter-parties hearing of the Application dated 18/07/2024, a conservatory order is hereby issued, restraining the Inspector-General of Police and all other individuals within the National Police Service,…

Kenyans might be receiving substandard healthcare services in various facilities nationwide, as it has come to light that over 9,000 of these facilities are unlicensed. Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s latest report indicates that many health facilities lack licensing from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists’ Council (KMPDC). The audit of the KMPDC database, both for the audit and available on their website, reveals that out of 16,527 registered health facilities in 2023, only 7,518, or 46 percent, were compliant with licensing regulations. This means around 9,009, or 56 percent, of the health facilities remain unlicensed, raising concerns about the quality…

President Bola Tinubu launched the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) application portal yesterday, aiming to expand access to higher education. During the launch event, he underscored the pivotal role of education in addressing poverty, insecurity, and fostering national development. Tinubu emphasized, “Education is the key to overcoming poverty in any society. It provides vision, drives development, and is essential in our efforts to combat insecurity.” He also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to investing in education as a critical strategy to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges. Regarding the launch, Tinubu stated, “Today marks the fulfillment of one of my…

No injuries were reported after an explosion occurred at the Sappi Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast on Wednesday afternoon. According to a statement from the mill, the explosion happened on a supplier truck transporting liquid oxygen, which is used for bleaching at the paper pulp mill. “The Saiccor Mill’s on-site firefighting team promptly responded to the fire that followed. They were soon supported by Durban Metro Fire and Emergency services. “The fire was quickly contained and eventually put out.” “All personnel and on-site contractors were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries reported.” Additionally, Sappi Southern…

No Cabinet Secretary has been disqualified in a way that would prevent the President from considering their reappointment. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi are at odds over the future of recently dismissed Cabinet Secretaries. Havi contends that the dismissals, as outlined in a Gazette Notice issued Wednesday, effectively bar the former CSs from any future public office, likening their status to impeached governors or judges deemed unfit to serve. Sing’oei, however, offers a different perspective, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding their dismissal may not necessarily prevent their reappointment by the…

The new airport, situated approximately 40 kilometers south of Kigali, has generated job opportunities for 1,800 to 2,000 workers, including those employed by the project management company, directly by the project, and through subcontracted companies for specialized tasks. Initially projected at $2 billion, the airport’s final cost could fluctuate based on various factors, as noted by Ndenga. Jules Ndenga, CEO of ATL, mentioned that the contract for the second phase is expected to be awarded in July this year. This phase will involve constructing a passenger terminal, a cargo terminal, an air traffic control tower, and buildings for security, administration,…

However, the influencer was released on bail, requiring a payment of Sh30,000 in cash. Social media influencer Francis Gaitho has been charged with spreading false information, alleging that the DCI apprehended the wrong individual as the main suspect in the Kware killings. Francis Nganga Gaitho stands accused of intentionally disseminating this misinformation on July 19, 2024, via his social media account. The prosecution claims that Gaitho wrote and shared this information with the intent for it to be perceived as true and acted upon accordingly. Gaitho faced an additional charge on the same occasion, alleging that he knowingly or should…

Mali’s military is launching an investigation into a disturbing video showing a man in Malian military attire dissecting a corpse in the presence of fellow soldiers, stated the army chief on Wednesday. He described the act as an extremely rare and appalling incident akin to cannibalism, emphasizing that it contradicts the military values of the Sahelian nation. This development comes amid persistent accusations by human rights organizations and the United Nations against Malian soldiers for severe misconduct, including executions and torture of civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups active in the Sahel since 2012. The military has consistently denied…

International election observers, in a collective statement, praised Rwanda for maintaining a peaceful electoral atmosphere and for efficiently managing the general elections held from July 14 to 16. The observers represented various organizations, including the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), and the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF). In a press conference held in Kigali on Wednesday, July 17, delegation leaders noted that after interacting with key stakeholders involved in the electoral process and…

On Thursday, anti-riot police patrolled major streets in Nairobi despite the cold, following acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja’s announcement of an indefinite ban on protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). Increased police presence was observed around Uhuru Park, where a group had planned to gather to demand changes in governance. The protest ban sparked outrage online, with some arguing that the police do not have the authority to enforce such a measure. Police clarified that the ban also applies to other regions of the country. Kanja stated that the protest organizers lack leadership to manage the…