Author: WAJ Team

A devastating boat tragedy off the coast of central Tunisia has claimed the lives of at least 27 migrants, including women and children, after two boats capsized. Civil defense officials reported on Thursday that 83 people were rescued from the waters near the Kerkennah Islands, as they attempted to reach Europe from sub-Saharan Africa. The victims were part of a larger group of migrants who had embarked on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea, one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. Zied Sdiri, head of civil defense in Sfax, confirmed that all the passengers were from sub-Saharan…

Morocco’s recent tax amnesty program has concluded with impressive results, with declarations totaling MAD 100 billion ($10 billion), far surpassing initial expectations. The initiative, introduced under the 2024 Finance Law, has been hailed as a significant step in the country’s efforts to bring previously undeclared wealth into the formal economy. According to the final report, MAD 60 billion ($6 billion) was declared through cash deposits within Morocco’s banking sector, while the remaining MAD 40 billion ($4 billion) was attributed to real estate purchases and contributions to partners’ current accounts. This broad range of asset categories underscores the scope of the…

South Africa’s rand opened the new year on a stronger footing, recovering from a turbulent close to 2024. As of 0803 GMT Thursday, the rand was trading at 18.7625 against the U.S. dollar, up by 0.6% compared to its previous close. The rand, like many emerging market currencies, was severely affected by volatility in late 2024, primarily due to the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. political landscape following Donald Trump’s election as president. Market participants were unsettled by his proposed tariffs and other economic policies, coupled with a more hawkish outlook from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which contributed to significant fluctuations…

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has dismissed Defence Minister Harry Mkandawire in a Cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening the country’s governance as part of efforts for a better 2025. The reshuffle, announced on Wednesday, also saw the removal of Deputy Education Minister Nancy Mdooko and the reassignment of several other ministers to new positions. The move follows mounting public pressure on Chakwera, particularly over the controversial handling of Vice-President Saulosi Chilima’s death in a military plane crash on June 10, 2024. The crash, which claimed the lives of Chilima and eight others, occurred in a remote forest in northern Malawi amid…

In an ambitious move to combat climate change and restore its ecosystems, Rwanda has launched a series of multi-billion-dollar projects aimed at reforestation, land restoration, and reducing carbon emissions. These projects, which span across various provinces, are part of Rwanda’s broader commitment to restoring two million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and cutting carbon emissions by 38% within the same timeframe. As the nation gears up to meet these bold environmental goals, these green initiatives are seen as crucial steps toward building climate resilience, safeguarding biodiversity, and enhancing sustainable development. $18 Million Forest Restoration Project in Southern and Northern…

At least 12 people have been killed in a series of fresh attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local sources reported to AFP on Wednesday. The recent raids follow a string of deadly assaults by the group over the Christmas period, which left 21 dead in North Kivu province. The latest attacks, which took place overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, targeted two villages within North Kivu province. Local authorities confirmed that at least eight people were killed in the village of Bilendu, near Manguredjipa. In the neighboring village of Mangoya, at…

Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has confirmed the complete withdrawal of French military forces from the country by January 31, 2025. This marks a decisive shift in Chad’s defense strategy and its evolving relationship with France. In a televised address on Tuesday, Deby outlined that the first wave of French troops had already left, with subsequent withdrawals scheduled to ensure the full departure of foreign forces by the end of January 2025. “The departure of French forces is in line with the shared aspirations of the Chadian people for greater sovereignty and self-determination,” Deby said. The president highlighted the…

Egypt has achieved a historic milestone, welcoming 15.7 million international tourists in 2024, according to a statement from the Egyptian government. This record number highlights the resilience of Egypt’s tourism industry, which has long been a cornerstone of its economy. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed confidence in the sector’s continued growth, referring to the 15.7 million tourists as a “promising” figure. Speaking at a weekly press conference in Egypt’s newly established administrative capital, Madbouly noted that regional instability and external challenges had hindered even greater growth, suggesting that without these obstacles, the number of visitors could have reached as high…

Uganda is globally recognized for its scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife, which draw tourists from around the world to its national parks and nature reserves. However, hidden within the bustling streets of the capital, Kampala, is a culinary phenomenon that has captured the hearts of locals and international visitors alike. The rolex, a simple but irresistible combination of chapati and scrambled eggs, has become a beloved street food, transcending its humble origins to become a symbol of Ugandan creativity and culinary ingenuity. A Flavorful Fusion: What Makes the Rolex Special? The rolex is not, as one might assume, a luxury…

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project, jointly operated by BP and Kosmos Energy, has commenced production, marking a transformative step for Senegal and Mauritania. Gas deliveries are expected shortly, as both nations position themselves as key players in the global energy market. The $4.8 billion project spans the maritime boundary of the two countries and is set to produce approximately 2.3 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually in its initial phase. Gas is being extracted from ultra-deepwater wells at depths reaching 2,850 meters and transported to a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility for processing. In…

Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has announced plans to significantly enhance credit access for both individuals and critical sectors, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in a bid to strengthen the nation’s economy. In a New Year’s address to the nation, Tinubu outlined his administration’s commitment to addressing the financial barriers that have long constrained business growth and job creation. Access to credit has remained a significant challenge in Nigeria, especially for SMEs, which are often the backbone of the country’s economy. The President acknowledged that these businesses face major obstacles in securing financial support, a limitation that stifles their growth…

In a significant move to bolster defense cooperation, senior military officials from Morocco and Qatar held high-level discussions in Rabat on Tuesday. The talks, hosted by Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), and General Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah, Advisor to the Emir of Qatar on defense affairs, centered on enhancing the longstanding military partnership between the two countries. The meeting, which took place at the FAR General Staff headquarters, was attended by senior members of the FAR and a high-ranking Qatari military delegation. The discussions were organized in response to directives from King Mohammed VI,…

General Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of Guinea, addressed the nation on Tuesday, declaring 2025 as a pivotal year for the country’s return to constitutional order. While Doumbouya stressed the importance of holding elections and a constitutional referendum, he did not provide specific details or a timeline for these processes. Doumbouya, who assumed power in a military coup that ousted President Alpha Conde in September 2021, has faced mounting criticism for delays in returning the country to civilian rule. Despite international pressure, the government has not yet followed through on plans to hold a constitutional referendum or hand over power to…

As Mozambique enters 2025, its role as a key energy provider in southern Africa has been solidified with a significant milestone: the country now exports electricity to seven neighboring nations. South Africa remains Mozambique’s largest energy customer, but the country’s growing influence in the regional energy market is now evident, with more countries turning to Mozambique to meet their energy needs. According to the 2023 annual report from the National Statistics Institute, Mozambique exported a record 11,585 GWh of electricity last year. South Africa, as the primary recipient, accounted for 9,079 GWh of this total, underscoring the country’s continued reliance…

Benin has formally protested against recent accusations by Niger’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, who claimed that the neighboring country was providing support to armed groups operating in Niger. Benin has summoned a Nigerien diplomat to seek clarification on these allegations. In an interview with Niger state television last Wednesday, Tiani accused Benin of serving as a rear base for armed groups, which he argued was contributing to efforts to destabilize Niger’s security and sovereignty. In response, Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Bakari sent an official letter of protest to his Nigerien counterpart, condemning what it called baseless accusations. The Beninese foreign…

The Tunisian government has extended the nationwide state of emergency (SoE) for an additional month, prolonging the sweeping security measures that have been in place since 2015. A decree signed by President Kais Saied, published in the Journal of the Republic of Tunisia, confirmed the state of emergency will remain in effect until January 30, 2025. The extension reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to address national security concerns amidst evolving threats. Under Tunisia’s emergency law, the government has been granted extensive powers, including the authority to conduct house arrests, impose curfews, ban public gatherings, and monitor and censor media outlets.…