Author: WAJ Team

São Tomé and Príncipe’s President, Carlos Vila Nova, has dismissed Prime Minister Patrice Emery Trovoada and his entire cabinet, citing a series of concerns about the government’s performance and the Prime Minister’s extended absences from the country. In a statement released by the presidency on Monday, Vila Nova explained that the Prime Minister’s prolonged absences had significantly hindered the government’s ability to address key national issues. The presidency also emphasized that the government had failed to provide effective solutions to the country’s economic and financial challenges, along with their broader social implications. The decision has raised questions about the political…

Six Nigerian soldiers were killed in a militant assault on a military base in the northeastern state of Borno, military officials confirmed on Monday. The attack, which took place early Sunday morning, saw insurgents armed with firearms, traveling in trucks and on motorcycles, target the Sabon Gari base in the Damboa district. According to anonymous sources within the military, the militants set fire to both the base and several vehicles, launching an intense firefight with the stationed troops. “We lost six soldiers during the militant attack after a prolonged gun battle,” one of the officials said. The troops were eventually…

John Dramani Mahama and Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang are set to be inaugurated today as Ghana’s President and Vice President, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s political history following their victory in the December 2024 elections. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Accra’s Black Star Square, an iconic venue that has witnessed numerous landmark events in Ghana’s democratic journey. Thousands of Ghanaians are expected to gather for the occasion, alongside a host of international dignitaries and regional leaders, underscoring the significance of the event not only for Ghana but for the broader African continent. The ceremony signals the dawn…

Chad’s foreign affairs minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of displaying a “contemptuous” attitude towards Africa after comments he made about African leaders’ failure to thank France for its role in fighting militant insurgencies across the Sahel region. In a statement broadcast on state television, Koulamallah expressed Chad’s deep concern, urging that French leaders must learn to show greater respect towards Africa. While emphasizing that Chad has no issue with France itself, the minister reminded France of Africa’s critical contributions to the liberation of France during the World Wars, particularly Chad’s role, which he…

China’s Zijin Mining Group is set to begin lithium production in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by early next year, marking a major step for the company and the country. The lithium will come from the Manono project, one of the world’s largest untapped lithium deposits. This move signals the DRC’s growing potential to become a key player in the global lithium market, in addition to its dominant position as the world’s largest producer of cobalt and second-largest producer of copper. The Manono project, located in the southeastern part of the DRC, is currently at the heart of a…

Namibia, one of the world’s leading producers of uranium, is turning to China for investment to advance its nuclear power sector as part of a broader strategy to play a larger role in the global transition to clean energy. The country aims to not only enrich its uranium resources but also contribute to the peaceful development of nuclear power. Speaking on Monday during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba outlined the nation’s ambition. “We want to add value to our uranium resources for the peaceful development of nuclear energy,” Mbumba said, underscoring Namibia’s commitment…

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, and his Malawian counterpart, Nancy Tembo, engaged in a productive telephone discussion on Sunday, marking a significant step in enhancing the bilateral relations between their nations. The conversation focused on boosting cooperation in several areas, including capacity building, trade, and investment. Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Malawi, highlighting opportunities for expanding Egypt’s capacity-building programs through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD). He also pointed to the potential for increasing Egyptian investments in Malawi and enhancing trade exchanges between the two nations. In response, Minister Tembo expressed her country’s recognition…

In a tragic incident, a suspected bomb explosion at Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School, located in a village near the Nigerian capital of Abuja, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left two others critically injured on Monday. The authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this explosion. According to Josephine Adeh, the police spokesperson for the Territory of Abuja, the explosion occurred in the school premises. Preliminary investigations suggest that three men from Katsina state, who were visiting the school, are suspected to have brought an improvised explosive device (IED) with them. “Tragically, two of the…

A joint French-Swiss archaeological team has discovered a 4,000-year-old mastaba tomb at the Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, shedding new light on life in Egypt’s Old Kingdom, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The rectangular mastaba, a traditional tomb structure of ancient Egypt with a flat roof and sloping sides, belonged to a royal physician who served during the reign of Pepy II (circa 2278–2184 BC), the last ruler of Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty. “This discovery enriches our understanding of the Old Kingdom,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. “The well-preserved inscriptions and drawings…

In a significant move to bolster its defense capabilities, Morocco has received a fresh batch of Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkish defense company Baykartech. While the Moroccan government has yet to make an official statement regarding the delivery, sources close to the matter confirm the arrival of the drones, marking an important step in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military. This new shipment is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to enhance its military strength amid the ongoing Western Sahara dispute, a long-standing conflict with a separatist group backed by Algeria. The latest delivery builds upon a previous batch…

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the head of Uganda’s military and the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has made headlines once again with a controversial statement about opposition leader Bobi Wine. In a social media post, Kainerugaba threatened to behead Bobi Wine, drawing strong reactions from across the political spectrum. Kainerugaba, who is seen by many as the likely successor to his father, Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has gained notoriety for his outspoken and often provocative posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). His previous statements have sparked public outcry, including a 2022 threat to invade neighboring Kenya, which he…

Venancio Mondlane, the leader of Mozambique’s opposition, has announced his return from self-imposed exile ahead of the inauguration of the new president, Daniel Chapo, on January 15. Mondlane, who has been leading protests from abroad against the contested results of the October 9 presidential election, revealed in a Facebook live address on Sunday that he would arrive at Maputo’s Mavalane International Airport on Thursday morning. Mondlane, who fled the country after his lawyer was tragically killed on October 19, has been a vocal critic of the election outcome, claiming widespread irregularities and election fraud. From his undisclosed location, Mondlane has…

ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has announced the closure of its Longs Business, a decision that will lead to significant job losses and further strain the country’s already struggling steel industry. The closure, attributed to persistent financial difficulties, is expected to impact around 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. AMSA cited a combination of weak economic conditions, rising energy and logistics costs, and unrelenting competition from low-cost steel imports as the driving forces behind the move. In November 2023, the company had placed its Longs Business in care and maintenance, indicating the strain caused by ongoing challenges within South Africa’s steel market.…

In a bid to combat growing resistance to malaria medications, the Rwandan government is set to roll out new anti-malaria drugs across the country, according to officials at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). The new medications—dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAP) and artesunate-pyronaridine (ASPY)—are part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended treatment plans for uncomplicated malaria. These drugs are designed to replace or supplement current treatments and are known as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which are widely recognized for their effectiveness in fighting malaria. Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, who manages the Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases Division at RBC, highlighted that these two new…

Conservationists in Algeria are raising alarms over the plight of the goldfinch, a songbird revered for its vibrant plumage and melodious song but increasingly threatened by illegal hunting and trading. Known locally as “maknin,” the bird is a cultural icon, yet its popularity as a pet has placed immense strain on wild populations. The goldfinch, native to North Africa and Western Europe, is deeply embedded in Algerian heritage. It symbolizes freedom and resilience, qualities celebrated during the nation’s independence movement in the mid-20th century. Algeria even commemorates the bird annually with a special day in March. Despite legal protections enacted…

On Saturday, the streets of Cape Town were transformed into a vibrant spectacle as thousands of minstrels paraded through the city in a century-old carnival that celebrates the region’s rich and complex history. The annual event, which has grown to become the largest of its kind on the African continent, draws thousands of spectators to witness the fusion of music, culture, and history. Participants, dressed in glittering costumes complete with extravagant hats, parasols, and face paint, marched and danced through the city’s historic center. Accompanied by the sounds of trumpets, trombones, and tambourines, the marchers showcased the colorful traditions passed…