Author: WAJ Team

Thirteen people lost their lives, and six others survived after a boat capsized on the Luena River in Zambia’s Luapula province. The tragedy occurred on Monday morning in Kawambwa District as sugar company workers traveled to their workplace. According to Kawambwa District Commissioner Godfrey Chilambwe, the accident happened when the boat’s paddle broke. Unable to steer, the passengers tried using their hands to navigate. However, the river’s strong current proved too powerful, causing the boat to overturn. Search and rescue teams have since recovered nine bodies. Efforts are still underway to locate the remaining victims. Divers have been deployed to…

Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, plans to reduce the volume of cocoa it sells internationally for the next season. The decision comes as the country grapples with its second consecutive year of declining yields, driven by climate change, aging plantations, and the spread of plant diseases. Regulator to Limit Export Contracts The Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), which oversees the country’s cocoa sector, will limit export contract sales to 1.3 million metric tons for the 2025/26 season. This is a significant reduction from the usual 1.7 million tons. Officials say the decision reflects a broader concern that the…

Ghana and Morocco are making progress toward eliminating visa requirements for travelers between the two nations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. If ratified, the agreement will facilitate easier movement for business, tourism, and educational exchanges, benefiting citizens of both countries. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the agreement will be presented to both Ghana’s and Morocco’s parliaments for approval in the coming weeks. This decision follows high-level discussions between Ablakwa and Morocco’s Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil. During these talks, both sides emphasized their commitment to deepening…

Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has made history as the first woman to chair the Ghana Armed Forces Council. Her appointment, confirmed by the presidency, marks a major step toward gender inclusivity in Ghana’s security leadership. President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the council on Monday at the Ministry of Defence in Accra. The Ghana Armed Forces Council, created under the 1992 Constitution, advises the president on key military and defence matters. It plays a crucial role in shaping national security policy, overseeing military administration, and ensuring proper resource allocation. The council is also responsible for reviewing military budgets…

Burundi is struggling to manage a massive influx of refugees fleeing conflict in eastern Congo. Tens of thousands have crossed the border, escaping clashes between Congolese government forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) warns that food aid may soon run out, putting many at risk. Since January, the number of refugees needing assistance has more than doubled, surpassing 120,000. Most of them are women and children. Their arrival has placed immense pressure on Burundi, which is already dealing with economic and humanitarian challenges. The crisis worsened after M23 rebels captured Goma in January and…

Regional leaders have taken new steps to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. Southern and Eastern African blocs have expanded their mediation team, aiming to revive stalled peace talks between the Congolese government and M23 rebels. Last week, hopes for diplomacy faded when M23 withdrew from planned negotiations in Angola. Soon after, the rebel group captured Walikale, a strategic town. The conflict, fueled by political tensions and competition for resources, has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced many more. New Team to Lead Peace Talks Following a high-level summit on Monday, regional blocs appointed five former leaders to…

Egypt has introduced a new proposal to restore the ceasefire in Gaza, as Palestinian health authorities reported that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 65 people in the past 24 hours. The truce proposal, presented last week, follows a surge in violence after Israel resumed its air and ground operations against Hamas on March 18, bringing an end to a two-month period of relative calm. Egyptian officials are working closely with U.S. and Qatari mediators to bridge gaps between the conflicting sides and push forward a peace process. According to Gaza health officials, nearly 700 Palestinians, including at least 400 women…

Twelve inmates escaped from a correctional facility in central Nigeria early Monday, triggering fresh concerns about security lapses in the country’s prison system. Authorities have confirmed the breakout and launched a detailed investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials are working to identify those responsible and implement measures to prevent future escapes. The incident highlights the persistent vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, which have experienced a series of similar breaches in recent years. Possible Internal Compromise Femi Fanwo, Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information, suggested that the escape might have been facilitated by “internal compromise and collaboration.” He noted…

Africa recorded the highest global decline in tuberculosis (TB) deaths between 2015 and 2023, with a 42/percent reduction, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2024 Global TB Report. During the same period, TB cases on the continent dropped by 24/percent, reflecting the impact of improved healthcare efforts. Key Factors Behind the Progress The decline in TB deaths is largely due to better case detection and increased treatment coverage. In 2023, 1.9 million cases were identified compared to 1.4 million in 2020, ensuring more people received timely treatment. Treatment coverage also improved significantly, rising from 55/percent to 74/percent, which contributed…

Angola has announced its withdrawal as a mediator in the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Angolan presidency confirmed on Monday that another African nation will soon take over mediation efforts to restart peace talks. M23 Gains and Rising Tensions The M23, an ethnic Tutsi-led rebel group, has intensified its offensive this year. Since January, the group has captured two of eastern Congo’s largest cities and advanced into mineral-rich areas. These regions hold valuable resources such as gold and tantalum. The crisis has further strained relations between Congo and Rwanda. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the…

Time Out’s 2025 list celebrates four African cities among the world’s top 20 food destinations. Experts and locals provided input on food quality, affordability, and overall dining experience. The list features one city per country to highlight the best culinary scene from each nation. Cape Town: A Culinary Leader Cape Town in South Africa earned the top spot. Locals gave it a 95/percent approval rating for its vibrant food and drink scene. This rating ties Cape Town with Paris. The city mixes traditional South African dishes with modern cuisine. Residents describe their meals as “delicious.” They enjoy the bold flavors…

President Daniel Chapo met with opposition leader Venancio Mondlane in Maputo on Sunday to ease political tensions. Mozambique has faced widespread unrest following the disputed October elections. These elections sparked violent protests and blockades. Local civil society groups report that over 360 people lost their lives during the clashes. The disputed elections have raised concerns among citizens and international observers alike. Critics have noted that the process lacked transparency. Consequently, protests erupted and the country has struggled to maintain stability. Bridging Divides for Reconciliation During the meeting, both leaders discussed ways to address the nation’s challenges. They stressed the need…

Namibia’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, unveiled her first Cabinet on Saturday, setting a historic precedent. The announcement introduced 14 ministers and seven deputies, with eight of the ministers being women. This move highlights the government’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive leadership. A major highlight was the appointment of Lucia Witbooi as Namibia’s first female vice president. With this development, Namibia becomes the only African country led by both a female president and vice president. During the swearing-in ceremony in Windhoek, President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed confidence in her team’s ability to deliver. “I am confident that we will fulfill the mandate entrusted…

The M23 rebel group has announced a withdrawal from Walikale, a town they seized during their offensive in eastern Congo. They claim this step supports ongoing peace efforts. Earlier, however, they maintained that they would hold Walikale while advancing toward the capital, Kinshasa. The Congolese government has received the announcement with cautious optimism. Officials stress that the gesture must soon lead to tangible action on the ground. This development comes just days after M23 abruptly canceled planned peace talks. The rebels blamed European Union sanctions targeting some of their leaders and certain Rwandan officials for their decision to pull out…

Uganda’s military reported killing 242 fighters from the Congolese rebel group CODECO after responding to attacks on its camp in eastern Congo earlier this week. However, CODECO disputed the figures, claiming minimal losses. According to Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson Chris Magezi, the clashes occurred on Wednesday and Thursday after hundreds of CODECO fighters attacked a Ugandan military post in Fataki, a locality in Congo’s Ituri province. Ugandan troops retaliated, killing 31 rebels on the first day and 211 on the second. Magezi, in a post on X late Friday, said one Ugandan soldier died, and four others were…

Sudan’s military has tightened its hold on Khartoum by capturing several key sites, including the Republican Palace, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This advance marks a significant shift in the nearly two-year-long conflict that has devastated the nation. Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, a spokesperson for the Sudanese military, confirmed that troops drove RSF fighters out of the National Intelligence Service headquarters and the Corinthia Hotel in central Khartoum. The military also reclaimed the Central Bank of Sudan and several government and educational buildings. According to Abdullah, hundreds of RSF fighters were killed while attempting to escape, although this information…