Author: WAJ Team

Gemfields, one of the world’s leading producers of coloured gemstones, has called on the Zambian government to revoke the recently reintroduced 15% export tax on emeralds, warning that the levy could significantly harm the country’s thriving emerald sector. Zambia, the world’s second-largest emerald producer after Colombia, reinstated the tax on January 1, following its suspension in 2019. The company, which operates the Kagem emerald mine—one of the largest of its kind globally—expressed its concern that the tax would undermine the sustainability of the industry and diminish its appeal to foreign investors. In a statement, Gemfields indicated that it plans to…

The United Kingdom is considering fast-tracking a major financial package to Mauritius as part of an agreement to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, including the strategically important military base of Diego Garcia, to the island nation. This long-awaited deal follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2019 that declared the UK’s administration of the islands unlawful. It comes at a time when the new Mauritian government has raised concerns about the terms of the agreement finalized in October 2023 under the previous administration. Sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations indicate that while the UK is…

In a dramatic turn of events, Nelson Mandela’s grandson has been arrested in connection with a hijacking near the family’s historic Houghton residence. The arrest, which has shocked the nation, raises significant concerns about the future of the Mandela family’s legacy, already under scrutiny due to internal family disputes. According to police reports, the vehicle involved in the hijacking was stolen from Benoni late the previous evening. Authorities apprehended the four suspects, including Mandela’s grandson, after they were found in possession of the vehicle near the Mandela property. While the driver’s fate remains unclear, he is reportedly under police protection…

Tensions have escalated in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, as widespread protests continue over the military government’s failure to meet its promised deadline for transitioning to democracy. The protests, led by civil society groups and opposition parties, have led to a lockdown in several parts of the city, as demonstrators demand the fulfillment of the military’s pledge to return the country to civilian rule. The United States has urged the military authorities to provide a clear and actionable timeline for holding the long-delayed elections, which have become a critical issue for many Guineans. The protestors’ frustrations stem from the failure of the…

The Namibian government has instructed that the long-awaited joint declaration between Namibia and Germany on reparations for the Nama and Ovaherero genocide be finalized and signed by March 2025. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that the document must be concluded before this deadline, with crucial steps planned for the coming weeks. The agreement, which will be signed by Namibia’s Minister of International Relations, Peya Mushelenga, and Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, is set to be presented to the German parliament by the end of January. Both countries’ legislative bodies are expected to ratify the deal soon after, enabling Germany…

In a bid to deepen bilateral relations, Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, held a phone conversation on Tuesday with Sylvestre Radegonde, the Foreign Minister of Seychelles. The two ministers discussed strategies to enhance cooperation and partnerships between the two nations, with an emphasis on bolstering African unity and promoting regional development. During the call, Dr. Abdel Aati reiterated Egypt’s commitment to expanding its cooperation with Seychelles, underscoring the importance of furthering economic, trade, and development initiatives that benefit both countries. He stressed the critical role of African collaboration in addressing the continent’s shared challenges,…

Ghana’s newly re-elected President, John Dramani Mahama, began his second term on Tuesday by addressing the shifting global political and economic landscape, stressing the country’s need to adapt to new international realities. In his inaugural address at Accra’s Independence Square, Mahama outlined the growing challenges posed by global tensions and shifting alliances. Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s current geopolitical environment is far removed from the one experienced under previous administrations. He noted that new tensions and conflicts between nations are creating significant uncertainty, particularly in the way international alliances function. “The world in which Ghana exists today is not the same…

More than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the past week, as heavy clashes between the Congolese army and armed groups have escalated in North Kivu province, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The M23 rebel group, which has been active in the region since 2021 and is accused of receiving support from Rwanda, seized control of Masisi on Saturday. The strategically significant town, located about 80 kilometers north of Goma, is home to 40,000 people and serves as the administrative capital…

The Malian Armed Forces confirmed the deaths of at least 30 suspected militants following a coordinated assault on military positions in the western region of Nioro du Sahel late Monday. According to a statement from the military, the attackers infiltrated the city in large numbers with the assistance of local collaborators, targeting strategic locations within the area. The army swiftly countered the attack, regaining control of the region and recovering weapons from the assailants. “The situation is now under control,” the statement said, confirming the neutralization of 30 militants. The military praised its units for effectively minimizing harm to civilians,…

The death toll from mpox in Uganda has risen to 10 after four more fatalities were reported in the past five days, health authorities confirmed on Monday. The Ministry of Health also announced that 156 new infections were registered during the same period, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,571 since the outbreak began six months ago. Of the 19 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, 17 were recorded in Wakiso District, one in the capital Kampala, and another in Lira. These areas have seen the highest concentration of cases, highlighting the ongoing challenge of containing…

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unveiled a unique population of orange-skinned dwarf crocodiles deep within Gabon’s Abanda cave system, prompting speculation that they may be on the verge of evolving into a new species. This remarkable finding highlights the extraordinary adaptability of life in extreme environments. The Abanda cave crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis), which reside in complete darkness, are vastly different from their forest-dwelling counterparts. These crocodiles navigate the murky cave system, feeding primarily on bats and cave crickets, and swimming in pools of bat guano—a substance rich in urea. Over generations, their exposure to this environment has caused their…

At least 46 people, including women and children, were abducted during a violent attack on Gana town in Zamfara state, northwest Nigeria. The assault, which took place late on Sunday night, has highlighted the region’s growing insecurity. According to local residents and a traditional leader, a group of gunmen on motorbikes stormed the town around 10:00 PM GMT, indiscriminately firing into the community. The attackers also set fire to several homes and businesses, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. This incident follows a similar mass kidnapping in the state last month, with criminal gangs increasingly targeting vulnerable communities…

Nigeria’s healthcare system is enduring a dire crisis as an escalating brain drain continues to strip the country of its medical professionals. This mass exodus, which started more than four decades ago as a trickle of healthcare workers seeking better opportunities abroad, has ballooned into a full-scale crisis, significantly compromising the country’s ability to provide quality healthcare for its 230 million citizens. A surge in the migration of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is being fueled by the lure of higher salaries, improved working conditions, state-of-the-art medical infrastructure, and better overall living standards abroad. These professionals, who often spend…

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has issued a strong rebuke to French President Emmanuel Macron following his recent comments on the sovereignty of African nations. In his statement, Sonko emphasized the historical sacrifices made by African soldiers, many of whom were forcibly conscripted into service during World War II, only to be mistreated and betrayed. Sonko remarked, “If African soldiers, often compelled to serve, had not fought to defend France during the Second World War, France might still be under German occupation.” His words serve as a sharp reminder of the significant, yet often unacknowledged, role African soldiers played in…

Mauritius has issued an arrest warrant for its former finance minister, Renganaden Padayachy, as part of an investigation into allegations of embezzlement. According to a police notice published in local media on Tuesday, Padayachy is accused of being involved in a financial scandal concerning the misappropriation of 45 million rupees from the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC), a state-run entity established to help businesses cope with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were allegedly diverted to benefit Menlo Park Ltd., a private company, raising serious concerns about potential corruption and misuse of public funds. The warrant for Padayachy’s…

The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 is set to become the continent’s premier event for energy industry leaders, with the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum prominently featured. The forum will present an array of investment opportunities across Africa’s oil, gas, mining, and renewable energy sectors, marking a pivotal moment for economic growth and energy development on the continent. The event, slated to take place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3, 2025, will focus on addressing critical issues such as market stability, energy security, and the urgent need to eradicate energy poverty by 2030.…