Author: WAJ Team

Sao Tome and Principe’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Ilza Amado Vaz, has submitted her resignation to President Carlos Vila Nova, citing the premature public release of her proposed cabinet list as the key reason behind her decision. In an official decree issued by the president, Amado Vaz was dismissed from office following the breach of protocol. Amado Vaz, who was appointed just days earlier on Thursday, had been tasked with forming a new government after President Vila Nova dissolved the administration of former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. The dissolution, announced earlier in the week, set the stage for Amado Vaz…

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has successfully reclaimed several key towns in its eastern region that had been under the control of armed rebel groups for months, according to the DRC military. The recaptured areas include Ngungu, a critical town near Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, as well as several other towns in South Kivu province. These areas had been occupied by rebels for months, and their recovery is considered a significant achievement for the Congolese army. Military spokesperson, Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, confirmed the victories, listing towns such as Lumbishi, Ruzirantaka, Kamatale, Bitagata,…

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, has concluded his first official visit to Mali, marking an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The visit, which began on January 11, 2025, lasted for 48 hours and focused on improving cooperation in key areas such as security, economic development, and cultural exchange. Al-Burhan’s visit, which was described by both parties as a significant moment in their relationship, provided an opportunity to address shared concerns and explore potential areas for future collaboration. Upon his arrival in Bamako, al-Burhan met with Assimi Goita, leader of Mali’s…

Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has vowed to continue his fight for what he believes was a stolen victory in the October elections, urging his supporters to take to the streets in protest. The call for a “national strike” comes as the newly-elected parliament is set to convene on Monday, with Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo expected to be inaugurated as the country’s next president on Wednesday. Chapo, a 48-year-old former governor with no prior experience in national government, is poised to succeed outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, as Frelimo consolidates its power with another term. In a Facebook post late Saturday, Mondlane,…

Voters in Comoros participated in parliamentary elections on Sunday to elect members of the country’s 33-seat National Assembly, a year after President Azali Assoumani’s re-election, which opposition parties alleged was affected by irregularities. Polling stations opened early, with approximately 338,000 registered voters casting their ballots. Voting began at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), marking the first parliamentary elections since January 2020. The elections followed political tensions stemming from Assoumani’s contested re-election in 2024. Nearly 100 candidates, including current lawmakers and opposition figures, were approved by the Supreme Court to run in the election. Assoumani’s critics raised concerns about the…

A Nigerian military airstrike mistakenly killed 16 civilians, including members of a local vigilante group, in the Tungar Kara community of Zamfara State on Sunday. The strike, intended to target armed bandits operating in the region, instead hit civilians who were defending their community against an alleged attack by gunmen. The incident, initially reported by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, highlights the growing difficulties faced by Nigeria’s military in distinguishing between combatants and non-combatants in ongoing counter-insurgency operations. According to intelligence sources, the airstrike was aimed at bandits fleeing from Gidan Makera, a village in the Boko district of Zurmi…

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has left a trail of destruction across northern Madagascar, claiming the lives of at least three people and affecting nearly 1,000 others, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. The severe weather event struck the Sava region on Saturday evening, with winds reaching speeds of 130 km/h and gusts as strong as 180 km/h. The cyclone made landfall in the Vohemar district at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time. By 11:00 p.m., it had moved off the island’s northern coast, continuing its westward path. However, the damage left behind has been substantial. More than 300…

South African authorities have launched an investigation into a tragic mass shooting that left eight people dead in the Pienaar area of Mpumalanga province early Saturday morning. According to police reports, six people, including a woman, were killed instantly when unknown gunmen opened fire outside a tavern near Nelspruit. Two additional victims—one male and one female—later died in hospital from their injuries, while three others are receiving medical care. The motive for the attack remains unclear, with authorities stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances behind the shooting. No arrests have been made as of yet. This shooting…

Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM), has claimed a decisive victory in the country’s legislative elections, securing 124 out of 188 seats in the National Assembly. The results, announced on Sunday, reinforce President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s hold on power, despite significant opposition boycotts and allegations of electoral fraud. The December 29, 2024, elections mark a crucial step in Chad’s transition back to constitutional rule, following a three-year period of military governance. This transition began after the sudden death of President Idriss Deby Itno in 2021, when his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, assumed control of the country. The Patriotic…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a total of 14,700 mpox cases, including 66 fatalities, across 20 African nations between January 2024 and January 5, 2025. This figure, however, represents only a fraction of the suspected cases, as many remain undiagnosed due to limited diagnostic resources in several regions, notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While the outbreak is being driven by multiple variants of the virus, the Clade Ib variant has been identified as the primary strain circulating in the DRC and neighboring countries. The WHO has expressed concern over travel-related cases of the Clade…

Sierra Leone has reported its first confirmed case of mpox, the viral disease that prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency last year. The patient, a 27-year-old man from a rural district in the Western Zone near the capital Freetown, is currently in isolation. The National Public Health Agency confirmed the case on January 10 and announced that health teams are tracing contacts and investigating to identify potential exposures and prevent further transmission. The agency did not specify the variant of the virus affecting the patient. Mpox, a disease related to smallpox, causes symptoms such…

In a significant gesture marking Morocco’s Independence Manifesto Day, King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to 1,304 prisoners sentenced by Moroccan courts. The amnesty, announced by the Justice Ministry, is part of the national celebrations for the annual holiday. The pardon, issued in honor of the day, is a customary practice in Morocco, where similar gestures are made to coincide with national and religious holidays. This year’s pardon comes as Morocco reflects on the historic significance of January 11, when the country’s nationalist leaders, in coordination with King Mohammed V, presented the 1944 Manifesto of Independence to French…

At least 2,500 people are expected to attend the inauguration of Mozambique’s newly elected president, Daniel Chapo, on January 15. However, the participation of invited foreign dignitaries remains uncertain, as confirmations are still pending. Eldevina Materula, Mozambique’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, stated that invitations have been extended to international organizations, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and various European leaders, including Portugal. The ceremony will take place at Maputo’s historic Independence Square, a central location in the country’s capital. Chapo, a candidate from the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), won the presidency with 65.17% of…

The Nigerian military has reported significant successes in its security operations across the country over the past week, neutralizing 109 militants, arresting 81 suspects, and rescuing 43 hostages. These actions are part of an ongoing campaign to combat militancy and criminal activity in several regions. In a statement released on Friday, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, also highlighted the military’s efforts against illegal oil theft. Six individuals were apprehended in connection with the theft of crude oil, preventing an estimated N618.7 million in stolen goods. The forces seized 21 firearms, including AK-47 rifles, homemade rifles, and pistols,…

Zimbabwe’s government has completed more than 8,000 projects across the country since the beginning of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration in 2017, signaling significant strides in national development. Jenfan Muswere, the country’s Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, highlighted this achievement during a recent media tour in the Manicaland Province, marking a key moment in the Second Republic’s ongoing efforts to modernize and decentralize governance. Muswere pointed out that in 2024 alone, 346 projects were completed, underscoring the government’s push for rapid development. “In a relatively short period, we have achieved remarkable progress,” Muswere said, adding that the projects were…

Angola’s Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak, with 119 cases and 12 fatalities reported as of Friday evening. The ministry confirmed 14 cases through laboratory testing, while 12 additional samples are still under examination. The outbreak was officially declared on January 7, 2025, following the first confirmed case. According to health officials, symptoms were initially observed in a patient on December 31, 2024. In response, the Ministry of Health has activated a national cholera response strategy to contain the spread of the disease. Key measures include enhanced surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and water sanitation initiatives. Efforts to ensure…