Author: WAJ Team

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…

WHO Calls for Increased Humanitarian Aid and Access in Sudan’s Conflict Zones The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging heightened cross-regional efforts to provide critical humanitarian assistance to millions affected by Sudan’s intensifying conflict. Officials emphasize the urgent need for a humanitarian corridor from Chad to facilitate essential relief reaching Sudan’s starving population. According to the WHO, ongoing fighting has severely restricted access to vital humanitarian and health assistance in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Al Jazira states. The situation is particularly alarming in El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, where over 800,000 people are besieged and cut off from food, healthcare,…

Sure, here’s a different paraphrase: Kenya and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are working together to enhance the digital job landscape in the country. A recent meeting in Nairobi brought together government officials and ILO representatives from East Africa to kick off this initiative. John Tanui, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of Information and Communications Technology and Digital Economy, met with Caroline Injuki, the ILO’s regional Chief Technical Advisor, leading discussions. Mary Kerema, Secretary for Digital Economy and E-Government, also participated in the talks. The discussions focused on crafting a Digital Job Creation Strategy, implementing equitable labor policies,…

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza Faces Third Impeachment Motion Meru County Assembly deputy majority leader Zipporah Kinya has tabled a new impeachment motion against Governor Kawira Mwangaza. This marks the third attempt to remove the first-term governor from office. The motion, presented on Wednesday, accuses Governor Mwangaza of three main offenses: alleged gross violations of the Constitution and various national and county laws, as well as abuse of office. Kinya highlighted that the county assembly has received public petitions, including one from 1,611 citizens (Petition No. 5 of 2023), and statements from assembly members detailing instances of misconduct by the governor.…

Velenkosini Hlabisa, the newly appointed Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), emphasized the seventh administration’s dedication to revitalizing struggling municipalities, including the eThekwini Metro. In his Budget Vote Speech delivered in Parliament, Hlabisa acknowledged the various challenges confronting local governments. Looking ahead, he outlined the department’s commitment to implementing Municipal Support and Intervention Plans (MSIPs) and implementing financial recovery strategies in municipalities facing distress. Municipalities facing difficulties He informed Parliament that the current leadership intends to focus on addressing the severe financial and governance distress affecting five additional municipalities, which has severely impacted service delivery. Some of these…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) have criticized Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s budget vote, stating that it lacks crucial strategies for preventing and combating crime. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu presented his department’s budget proposal and strategic plans during a parliamentary session on Tuesday. The budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year includes R113 billion for the police, R155 million for the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, and R370 million for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). Mchunu highlighted the recruitment of 10,000 police officers as a key priority for the upcoming year. He underscored the focus on…

The Rwanda Bankers’ Association (RBA) has unveiled its inaugural State of the Banking Industry Report (SBIR) during an event at the Kigali Marriott Hotel on July 11, 2024. Attended by bank CEOs, officials from the National Bank of Rwanda, regulatory bodies, microfinance and insurance institutions, as well as regional and international financial development organizations, the launch highlighted the collaborative effort behind the report. Tony Francis Ntore, CEO of RBA, emphasized the report’s comprehensive insights into Rwanda’s banking sector, covering trends, market dynamics, profitability, and sectoral evolution. He underscored the significant contributions of the RBA Research Center and member banks in…

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed three new second-class Emirs for the Rano, Gaya, and Karaye emirates. This announcement was made early Wednesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature. The newly appointed Emirs are: Alhaji Muhammad Mahraz Karaye, previously the District Head of Rogo, now the Emir of Karaye; Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umar, formerly the District Head of Bunkure, now the Emir of Rano; and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya, who served as the emir of the defunct Gaya emirate and is now the Emir of Gaya. These appointments are effective immediately. Governor Yusuf extended congratulations…

Nigeria to Restart Local Crude Oil Refining in Early August, National Petroleum Authorities Announce The move marks the end of years of inactivity at the country’s state-owned refineries, with analysts predicting it could lead to lower fuel prices. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) made the announcement during an emergency session at the National Assembly, where lawmakers questioned central bank authorities, the national economic management team, and the NNPC about the country’s economic situation. NNPC CEO Mele Kyari stated that one of the two Port Harcourt refineries in the Niger Delta region will commence operations in about two weeks. He…

President William Ruto Condemns Attempted Assassination of Former US President Donald Trump President Ruto of Kenya has strongly condemned the recent attempt on the life of former US President Donald Trump. In a statement, Ruto characterized the attack as a despicable act. “I condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly attempt on the life of President Trump,” Ruto stated. “Such violence has no place in our world.” He expressed solidarity with Trump and extended sympathy to him and the affected families. “We stand with the United States in rejecting violence and upholding democratic principles,” Ruto affirmed. President Ruto of Kenya…

On Tuesday, UNICEF issued a statement in response to reports of teargassing involving young children during nationwide protests against the government. The UN’s representative in Kenya, Shaheen Nilofer, denounced the conduct of the Kenyan police as unacceptable. She stressed that safeguarding children’s safety should always be a top priority for law enforcement. “I am deeply troubled by reports of tear gas entering the grounds of Mwiyala Primary School and affecting students during today’s protests,” her statement read. “Children and schools must never become targets of violence.” UNICEF joined other leaders in condemning the police’s actions after tear gas was used…

Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was reportedly forcibly detained by police officers at Karen police station while driving with his son, who recorded the incident. After the arrest, Gaitho was taken to an undisclosed location by the officers from Karen Police station. Witnesses reported that officers at the station stood by and watched as unidentified individuals in plain clothes forcibly removed him. Macharia Gaitho, previously a managing editor for special projects in Nairobi, now works independently as a journalist. He writes a weekly opinion column and provides political analysis for several newspapers across East Africa. Recently, he has been outspoken about…

The country’s tax policies are very favorable. For the DRC, where it is a major investor in the extractive sector, the economic benefits for the host countries are uncertain. According to an IMF report published on Monday, July 15, 2024, Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, poses a tax evasion risk for numerous African countries, particularly in the extractive industries. The country is one of the top five investors in seven out of fifteen sub-Saharan African economies that heavily depend on mineral wealth. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 63% of foreign…

Fidelity Services Group has pointed out a concerning trend where hijackers are increasingly targeting Chinese-manufactured cars in South Africa. The first quarter of 2024 has witnessed a notable surge in hijackings compared to the same period last year. Brands like Haval and Chery have seen a significant rise in sales, making them attractive targets for car thieves. The increasing popularity of hijackings and heightened risks Speaking about these concerning trends on Newzroom Afrika, Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, highlighted, “While traditional brands remain targets, we’ve observed a notable rise in thefts involving other products.” With the growing market…

Due to climate change impacts, Seychelles’ fisheries sector is largely affected, with the exception of artisanal fishing, which continues to experience increased fish catches. Minister Jean-Francois Ferrari addressed this issue during a National Assembly session in response to a query from Waven William, the elected representative of Grand Anse Mahe in the western Mahe district. Ferrari mentioned that the ongoing rise in ocean temperatures and the influence of El Nino and La Nina disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem. He further explained that these phenomena significantly alter sea temperatures and ocean currents, potentially affecting the distribution of pelagic fish…