Author: WAJ Team

The UN’s chief human rights official has accused Libya’s political leaders of suppressing dissent to retain power, leaving the nation divided and its people suffering from crisis, poverty, and misery. In a report presented to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, strongly condemned the methods used by Libya’s ruling elite to eliminate their political opponents and stay in control. “A stalled political process, dominated by those benefiting from the status quo, is destroying the hopes of Libyans for a stable, open, and prosperous society—hopes they have held onto for too…

Cabinet Secretaries will now have only one adviser each, following a new government initiative aimed at reducing costs. The adjustment reduces the previous allowance of two advisers per Secretary. According to a letter from Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the number of personal staff per CS will remain at two, in line with Public Service Commission guidelines. In the letter, Koskei requested Cabinet Secretaries to assess their office needs and specify which adviser they wish to retain to assist in their portfolio responsibilities. He emphasized that any advisers exceeding the new limit will be phased…

Twelve students from Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville, along with the driver, tragically lost their lives in a morning crash in the Kokosi-Wedela area of Merafong. Seven other students were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation Matome Chiloane expressed deep sadness over the incident in a statement, emphasizing the profound impact on the community. The department has mobilized its Psycho-Social Support team to offer immediate assistance to affected individuals and families.

The health department of Tshwane City has raised concerns about the ongoing occurrence of HIV transmission from mothers to their children. The South African National AIDS Council (Sanac) aims to ensure that at least 95% of HIV-infected children are tested and connected to treatment and care amid concerns about rising infection rates among infants. This follows the Tshwane City health department’s warning about the ongoing prevalence of mother-to-child HIV transmission in the district. In the period from January to June 2024, 232 infants in Gauteng tested positive for HIV, with 39 cases reported in Tshwane. This represents a slight decrease…

A fire outbreak in Farafenni, North Bank Region (NBR), completely destroyed a building used as accommodation for students at the FatoumattaBintRasoul Madrasa, resulting in dozens of students being left without homes. MatidaSanneh, the school owner, reported that at the time of the incident, 35 students were staying in a nearby mosque. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Victims stated that food supplies, clothing, and tuition fees paid by students were all lost in the blaze. Ms. Sanneh described the fire incident as heartbreaking, noting its devastating impact on many students who are now homeless. She expressed…

Operation Feed Yourself was an agricultural initiative introduced in Ghana during the tenure of military leader Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. It began in February 1972 and continued until the end of Acheampong’s regime in 1978. Led by Colonel Frank George Bernasko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, the program successfully increased food production and promoted self-sufficiency. It encouraged Ghanaians to take charge of their food supply and reduce reliance on imported goods, aiming to liberate the country from its colonial economic constraints. Former President John Dramani Mahama, the 2024 presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced intentions to introduce a…

The new minister continues to make waves, recently halting the ‘super fans’ free trips to support SA teams abruptly. Now, McKenzie is focusing more on his ministry, recognizing the necessity for significant changes during his tenure. The Patriotic Alliance leader compared the previous system to mafia-like practices in a recent social media post. I will dismiss the corrupt individuals. “We have many dedicated people at @SportArtsCultur, but there are a few corrupt figures who operate like mafias. Some are influenced by creatives who use politicians’ names to seek funding. I will ensure the removal of corrupt elements and safeguard the…

Southern Africa was shaken by a 6.7-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday morning, classified as ‘very strong’ by the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, and there have been no reports of damage so far.

On Tuesday, lawmakers from the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) enacted a law extending their term by one year. These lawmakers, elected in 2020 for a term set to end on March 10, 2025, will now serve until 2026, following a request from President Paul Biya. The CPDM, holding 156 of the 180 parliamentary seats, supported the extension. Government officials argue that the constitution allows Biya to consult the Constitutional Council and propose term extensions and election postponements as needed. However, Joshua Osih, a lawmaker and leader of the opposition Social Democratic Front, opposes this extension. The Social Democratic…

Violence has erupted in Sinja, Sennar, and Dinder, causing civilians to flee to neighboring states. The conflict in Sudan is nearing its 16th month, resulting in tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, marking it as the world’s worst displacement crisis according to international organizations. In April 2023, clashes broke out between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both competing for control following the 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir and a subsequent 2021 military coup. Civilian forces have struggled to establish stable governance amidst continued armed hostilities. Here’s an overview of the ongoing conflict…

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni engaged in discussions with a delegation from Huawei Technologies Uganda at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi. During the meeting, Huawei announced their plans to set up a Digital Village Prototype in Uganda. Hover Gao, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Region, explained to the President that the project’s goal is to demonstrate the transformative effects of digital infrastructure in rural areas. Gao emphasized that the Smart Village initiative will offer Smart Classrooms, Learning Centers, Remote Diagnosis, and Smart PVs (Solar) free of charge to the Ugandan government. “Huawei is committed to accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation. To…

On Tuesday, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced that the digital economy sector is expected to generate approximately N18.3 billion by 2026. The Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybersecurity, along with the House of Representatives Committee on Digital and Information Communication Technology, jointly organized the forum on the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, during which Tijani made this statement. Although applauding the proposed legislation, the minister stated that if it were to become law, it would enable the nation to fully realize the potential of the digital economy. He stated,…

This came after interviews were held with shortlisted foreign coaches. “Everything is still under wraps,” a source revealed. “But it is known that the NFF president and the Sports Minister were in London last week regarding this appointment. “The announcement of the new Super Eagles coach is expected soon.” Virtual interviews with a number of coaches were conducted with Austin Eguavoen, vice chairman of the NFF technical committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, and the NFF general secretary in attendance. The new coach’s name is still unknown, much like the NFF president’s and the Sports Minister’s journey to London remained a secret. Still,…

Farmers in South Africa are beginning to employ drones to enhance their management of resources. In South Africa, drones are gaining popularity for precision farming, which involves analyzing various factors to optimize agricultural productivity. Drones are utilized for tasks such as precise pesticide application, field mapping, yield forecasting, and livestock monitoring. Tholo mentions that drones can also enhance record-keeping to boost annual yields. “Drones are equipped with cameras and sensors for real-time crop monitoring,” explained KopanoTholo, a drone expert at ITOO Special Risks. One drawback of this approach is the high cost associated with drones, with some models priced over…

Declaring the incident a “attempted act of terrorism,” the trustees of a mosque in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), have found explosive devices on Monday. There is a suspicion that the act stems from opposition to the construction of a place of worship. In Masjidur Rahman, Durban North, two handmade explosive devices were discovered. The perpetrators hurled the explosives into the property and left the scene when a security vehicle cruising the area intercepted them, according to KZN police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker. “He called the relevant authorities, who then called the police, because he had a quick suspicion that they were…

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has arrived in Port Sudan on an official working visit. The military government of Sudan and a number of international organizations have moved their offices from Khartoum to Port Sudan as a result of the fighting in the country. “The visit is a further step in Prime Minister Abiy’s efforts to stabilize Sudan,” reads a brief statement from the prime minister’s office. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed remarked to legislators last Thursday, “We were trying to resolve the issues between two warring parties peacefully while remaining neutral.” Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been divided into two…

Earlier this year, 25-year-old Cindy Ngamba created history by being the first boxer ever to be selected for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refugee squad. Her love for boxing ignited a decade ago. The memory remains vivid: “When I stepped into that room, I saw a bunch of sweaty boys, and it felt like a blast of steam from their intense workouts hit me. All I could hear was the rhythmic thud of punches on bags, the ring of punches landing, the swift movements of shadowboxing, skipping ropes, and the strange sounds of impact. That’s when I fell in love…

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), in collaboration with Wild Africa, will hold a tourism and conservation round table meeting in Harare on Thursday to tackle issues impacting the sector. The meeting will gather various stakeholders. Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbra Rwodzi emphasized the event’s importance. “We are assembling a team of experts to analyze the challenges facing the tourism sector, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and acknowledge our achievements,” she said. “Our aim is to cultivate a sustainable and resilient tourism industry that supports both our economy and the environment.” Wild Africa coordinator Guy Jennings stated that the platform will…

Kenya’s healthcare system is facing a fresh crisis when hundreds of medical, dental, and pharmacy interns marched on the Ministry of Health offices on Monday, demanding urgent posting and the resignation of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha. The protest, which started as an online movement with the hashtag #OccupyMOH, swiftly turned into a large-scale rally at Afya House. The young medical professionals, dressed in blue scrubs and white lab coats, held signs and chanted “Nakhumicha Must Go,” expressing their dissatisfaction with the ministry’s inability to fulfill the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement. BlasioBukens, an intern in medicine awaiting placement, stated, “After…

Since a video of Daadab Member of Parliament Farah Maalim making offensive statements about the teenage demonstrators in Kenya surfaced, Kenyans demanded that Maalim be arrested and charged with a crime. In the now-viral undated video, Maalim declared in his Somali accent that he would have “slaughtered” five thousand young protestors every day if he had been president of Kenya. According to a verified video translation, the legislator was criticizing the Kenyan Generation Z for trying to march to the State House as part of the demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024. According to him, the young individuals who marched…

The Museum of Illusions has recently opened in Johannesburg, becoming the 53rd location worldwide. Johannesburg now joins cities like Cairo, Chicago, Dallas, Dubai, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Milan, and New York as hosts of this unique experience. Located in Rosebank, the Museum of Illusions offers its intriguing exhibits to visitors. More than sixty displays, illusions, and immersive experiences are included. Over 12 million people have visited the museums since the concept’s 2015 premiere in Zagreb, Croatia, and it has now spread throughout the world. There are no two museums that are the same; instead, each one takes guests on an unforgettable…

Kipchumba Murkomen, the Transport CS, has disputed rumors that he was caught with millions of cash in Dubai. On Monday, Murkomen denied the charges as false, claiming that no one should be permitted to fly with such a large sum of money. The CS went on to clarify that the amount mentioned is too large for someone to carry while traveling. “I believe it was USD 210 million. That amount would require three or four pickups to transport. You’d need an entire section of a plane to carry that much money, and it’s unlikely you’d even get past a hotel…

The proposed drastic multibillion-dollar budget cuts made by President William Ruto have been met with resistance. With allegations of waste in the public sector, the cuts go at important areas. Given the Sh346 billion shortfall in anticipated revenue, the government announced a significant realignment of budget priorities. Initially, Ruto had targeted several sectors for significant budget cuts, such as the hiring of 46,000 JSS teachers, the implementation of Universal Health Care, and the shelving of several construction projects worth billions of dollars. JSS has a funding deficit of Sh18.9 billion. Ruto’s initiative to subsidize fertilizer, which was supposed to revive…

The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martins Amaewhule, has charged Governor Siminialayi Fubara with breaching the 1999 Constitution. The House outlined certain acts performed by the governor that violated the Constitution in a letter dated July 8, 2024. the four charges made against Fubara by Amawhule Section 121 of the Constitution mandates that the governor submit the 2024 Appropriations Bill to the properly assembled House of Assembly. This has not yet happened. Additionally, commissioners have been appointed by the governor without adhering to the correct procedures specified in Section 192(2) of the Constitution. In addition, in…

Arshad Sharif’s right to life was violated when he was shot to death by police, according to Judge Stella Mutuku, who also awarded $78,000 in damages. Kenyan High Court found on Monday that Kenyan police’s 2022 assassination of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.” Sharif’s rights were violated by the Kenyan police’s activities, according to Justice S. N. Mutuku. When he was shot and killed by Kenyan police in 2022 at a checkpoint outside Nairobi, Pakistani journalist Sharif, 46, was well-known in his home country. Outrage over his passing led to calls for an impartial inquiry into the…

Zambia is set to introduce its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in October, marking the occasion of the country’s 60th independence anniversary. Six decades after the country of southern Africa gained independence from Britain, on October 24, the strategy will be disclosed, according to Felix Mutati, Minister of Science and Technology. “The introduction of the AI strategy will symbolize Zambia’s rejuvenation at 60 years and demonstrate that the country’s economy will henceforth be driven by AI,” he said. Speaking at the just finished Corporate Governance Conference and Gala Awards, he was in Livingstone, a border town in the southwest. Mutati disclosed…

Starting Monday, the high-profile trial concerning the starvation deaths of over 400 of his followers got underway in Mombasa, the port city in the Indian Ocean. Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, the leader of a doomsday cult in Kenya, made an appearance in court. Mackenzie, along with ninety-four other defendants, is accused of murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and torturing minors in addition to facing terrorism accusations. A gruesome case that rocked the world saw nearly 400 of the followers of a Kenyan doomsday cult killed, and the leader of the group was put on trial for terrorism on Monday. In Mombasa, a self-proclaimed…

While Ugandan consumers rejoice over the lowest sugar prices in five years, the industry faces chaos. Outgrowers are protesting declining cane prices due to a surplus that millers attribute to rapidly shrinking regional markets, leading to unprecedented domestic stock levels. Growers in Buikwe’s eastern area decided this week to stop providing cane to Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (Scoul), located in Lugazi, as a form of protest against the decrease in cane prices, which have dropped from Ush250,000 ($67.72) per tonne slightly over a year ago to Ush140,000 ($37.92) at this time. The millers claim they are in a bind…

Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of parliament, has mobilized support for a new government initiative that intends to link more than 1.3 million rural households to the country’s electrical grid. With increased access to energy for homes, businesses, and government institutions, the multibillion-dollar Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP) is projected to improve living in rural communities. Speaking at the project’s opening in Mitooma District on Friday, Tayebwa—who is also the local MP—praised the EASP as a crucial program with enormous potential for rural development. He stressed how good it will be for raising the standard of living for the people…

Rwanda is developing a national roadmap to reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas that makes up 65% of the country’s total emissions The agriculture sector, particularly the livestock sub-sector, including cattle and small ruminants, is the primary source of methane emissions in Rwanda. These emissions originate from enteric fermentation, manure management, and the natural rumination process of livestock. FaustinMunyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), emphasized the importance of the National Methane Roadmap in Rwanda’s climate efforts. “Methane constitutes 65% of Rwanda’s total emissions, making its reduction crucial for achieving our climate goals. This roadmap will provide…

U.S. troops have finished their withdrawal from the base in Niamey, Niger’s capital, and are set to fully depart from Agadez in the north by a September 15 deadline, as announced by officials from both countries on Sunday. Following their coup in July 2023, Niger’s military commanders terminated a military cooperation agreement with the United States in March. As part of anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel countries of West Africa, the United States maintained some 650 soldiers in Niger, including a sizable drone base close to Agadez. “The defense ministry of Niger and the U.S. Defense Department jointly declared the…

Ubacle Group, a Nigerian renewable energy firm, has launched its lineup of solar panels, with the goal of bolstering the push for renewable energy adoption in the country. The unveiling took place during the recently concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas conference held in Abuja. Uba Michael, CEO of Ubacle Group, emphasized the importance of transitioning to alternative energy sources for a cleaner and safer world. “We are introducing a range of solar panels today to provide users with alternative energy sources,” he stated during the unveiling. The solar panels project is a collaboration between Ubacle Group and its partners from…

On Sunday afternoon, patients were evacuated after a fire erupted at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. According to MondliMvambi, spokesperson for the Free State health department, the fire started outside the pediatric ward at approximately 15:20. The flames quickly spread to nearby trees and the first and second floors of the hospital. “This caused smoke to spread throughout the building. The hospital’s disaster plan was immediately activated, and both patients and staff were evacuated,” Mvambi said. Emergency medical services, both private and state-run, were notified, along with the Mangaung Metro Fire and Rescue Service. According to Mvambi, the event…

The chaotic beginning of the Katanga murder trial has caused delays in critical decisions, such as Ms. Molly Katanga’s request for video conferencing. Highlights from the first day The trial started with Molly Katanga pleading not guilty to the murder of her husband, Henry Katanga. Her daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kankwanzi, also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges related to destroying evidence. Additionally, domestic worker George Amanyire and nurse Charles Otai, who are co-accused, pleaded not guilty to being accessories to the murder. In an unexpected twist, Amanyire requested the trial be conducted in Rutoro, causing a brief disruption.…