Author: WAJ Team

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his decision to retain Mcebisi Jonas as the country’s new special envoy to the United States, despite revelations that Jonas previously made disparaging remarks about former US President Donald Trump. Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, was appointed to the diplomatic post earlier this week, succeeding Ebrahim Rasool. Rasool’s removal followed a diplomatic fallout triggered by comments he had made about the Trump administration. The reshuffle comes at a time when Pretoria is seeking to restore balance in its relations with Washington. The controversy surrounding Jonas stems from remarks he reportedly made after…

South Africa has strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including its repeated bombings of hospitals, describing the actions as a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The condemnation follows the Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, which was reportedly the last operational medical facility in Gaza City. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, forced the evacuation of numerous patients and has worsened Gaza’s already dire healthcare crisis. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reaffirmed South Africa’s alignment with global condemnation of these actions. According to DIRCO, at least…

Trade ministers from across Africa have gathered in Kinshasa this week to chart a unified response to Washington’s unexpected move to impose sweeping tariffs on African imports, a decision that has unsettled several economies across the continent. The United States had earlier announced a 10/percent baseline tariff on goods from nearly all African nations, with some countries—such as Lesotho—facing rates as high as 50/percent. Although the Trump administration temporarily suspended the measure for 90 days, the brief pause has done little to ease mounting concerns among African policymakers. For over two decades, African exporters have relied on the African Growth…

Shaka Zulu remains one of the most formidable figures in Southern African history. A visionary leader and fierce military strategist, he reshaped the Zulu nation in the early 19th century, turning a small clan into a powerful kingdom. His life story is marked by determination, innovation, and a legacy that continues to provoke admiration and debate. From humble beginnings to commanding armies and transforming regional politics, Shaka’s impact on the course of African history is both profound and enduring. Formative Years Shaka was born in 1787 to Chief Senzangakhona and Nandi, a union that was initially shrouded in rejection. His…

Armed herdsmen launched a violent attack on Otobi, a community in Nigeria’s Benue State, on Tuesday evening, leaving seven people dead and more than 20 others injured. This assault marks the third such attack in the region within the month of April, highlighting the escalating violence between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s middle-belt. The attack occurred around 5:30 p.m. in Akpa district, located within the Otukpo Local Government Area, and lasted for approximately two hours. In addition to the fatalities and injuries, many homes were destroyed by fire, further displacing vulnerable residents. Kennedy Angbo, a lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in…

South Africa’s rand strengthened on Wednesday morning, lifted by a softer dollar as global markets reacted to lingering trade tensions between the United States and China. At the same time, investors are closely monitoring internal political discussions that could shape the country’s fiscal path. By 0757 GMT, the rand was trading at 18.9425 against the U.S. dollar, marking a 0.4/percent gain. The greenback fell around 0.7/percent against a basket of major currencies, as traders digested the ongoing uncertainty triggered by U.S. tariff policy. Although no fresh developments emerged overnight, the persistent trade standoff between Washington and Beijing—South Africa’s key trading…

Africa’s artistic legacy is undergoing a global renaissance. Once misrepresented or overlooked, the continent’s creative heritage is now taking center stage in major museums, academic discussions, and modern design studios across the world. At the heart of this resurgence are five landmark artworks that have shaped, challenged, and redefined artistic expression far beyond Africa’s borders. From ancient stone carvings to a rediscovered portrait that captivated international markets, these pieces offer more than aesthetic value—they tell stories of identity, innovation, and influence that continue to echo across centuries. The Stone Birds of Great Zimbabwe: Sculpted Sovereignty Discovered among the ruins of…

Crude oil prices declined for the second consecutive month, reflecting market unease triggered by recent U.S. trade measures and a slowing global demand outlook. According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), its Reference Basket (ORB) of crudes averaged $74.00 per barrel in March, down 3.7/percent from February. The drop in oil prices coincides with the economic ripple effects of newly announced U.S. tariffs, which have contributed to a more cautious global consumption outlook. OPEC has now trimmed its 2025 oil demand growth forecast to 1.3 million barrels per day (mb/d), citing fresh data from the first quarter…

The death toll from Nigeria’s ongoing Lassa fever outbreak has climbed to 127 since January, according to data released Tuesday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The country has confirmed 674 infections from a pool of 4,025 suspected cases recorded since the beginning of the year. The hemorrhagic virus, endemic to parts of West Africa, has now spread to 18 of Nigeria’s 36 states, with the southern states of Ondo and Edo, alongside Bauchi in the north, accounting for more than 70 percent of the confirmed cases. Health authorities report a case fatality rate of 18.8/percent—slightly…

In a country where apartheid sought to erase identity and suppress resistance, one voice emerged to reawaken the soul of an oppressed people. Steve Biko, the visionary founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, was more than an activist—he was a beacon of psychological and political liberation. Though his life was tragically cut short at just 30, his ideas and courage continue to fuel South Africa’s long march toward freedom. A Youth Shaped by Oppression Born on December 18, 1946, in Tarkastad, Eastern Cape, Bantu Stephen Biko was raised in the segregated township of Ginsberg, near King William’s Town. Early hardship…

Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement on the fourth review of the country’s $3 billion loan programme, paving the way for an additional $370 million disbursement, subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board. The agreement is a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to stabilize its economy, which has faced severe challenges in recent years. Known for its exports of gold, oil, and cocoa, Ghana has been grappling with an economic crisis, with its key sectors under pressure. Despite these struggles, the country is gradually recovering, with the IMF loan programme playing a crucial…

UNICEF has issued a stark warning to the global community, urging immediate intervention to address the deteriorating situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ongoing violence between government forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group has escalated, further endangering millions of lives. The organization stresses that without swift political engagement and substantial financial support, the crisis will only deepen, threatening both immediate and long-term stability in the region. In a recent interview with Anadolu, James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson, highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that the combination of armed conflict and a deadly Mpox…

South Africa, under its year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), has convened a key international meeting in Somerset West, Western Cape, aimed at shaping global development priorities through a distinctly inclusive and sustainable lens. The second session of the G20’s Development Working Group (DWG) began on Monday, drawing participants from member states, invited nations, and global institutions. The three-day summit—set to close on Wednesday—centres on strengthening cooperative frameworks that address economic inequality, sustainability, and long-term resilience, especially for developing nations. According to South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the gathering is a critical platform for tackling…

Ghana has ordered all foreign actors to withdraw from its artisanal gold trading market by the end of April, marking a bold restructuring of its lucrative gold sector aimed at tightening oversight, boosting revenue, and combating widespread smuggling. In a statement released Monday, a newly established government agency known as the Gold Board—or GoldBod—announced it will now serve as the sole legal authority for buying, selling, assaying, and exporting gold from small-scale and artisanal sources. All previously held licenses by both local and foreign companies under the old export framework are now void. Under the new rules, foreign companies must…

Severe flooding has swept through multiple regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, claiming at least 72 lives and displacing over 5,000 people, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health on Monday. The capital, Kinshasa, is among the worst affected, with 11 health zones reporting widespread destruction following relentless downpours. In addition to Kinshasa’s mounting toll, eastern provinces such as Tanganyika and South Kivu have recorded extensive damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure. Local authorities are racing to assess the scale of humanitarian needs as communities remain submerged and isolated. Emergency shelters have been set up across Kinshasa,…

Hassan al-Turabi (1932–2016) remains one of the most complex and controversial figures in modern Sudanese history. A scholar, ideologue, and political strategist, he masterminded Sudan’s transformation into an Islamist state while cultivating alliances with transnational Islamic movements. His legacy is a study in contradictions: a man who championed progressive interpretations of Islam yet oversaw a regime marked by brutality, and an intellectual who advocated democracy while engineering authoritarian rule. This article traces al-Turabi’s life, ideology, and enduring impact on Sudan and the broader Muslim world. Early Life and Intellectual Formation Born on 1 February 1932 in Kassala, eastern Sudan, Hassan…