Author: WAJ Team

South Africa has dispatched special envoy Sydney Mufamadi to Mozambique in response to escalating political violence following the October elections. Mufamadi’s mission aims to engage with outgoing President Filipe Nyusi and assess the crisis that has intensified in recent weeks, with opposition protests leading to widespread unrest. President Cyril Ramaphosa tasked Mufamadi with conveying South Africa’s solidarity and offering support to Mozambique in navigating the current turmoil. “We have received detailed insights from our Mozambican counterparts about the situation, including their efforts to address it and their expectations of South Africa’s role in promoting peace,” Mufamadi said in an interview…

Africa, a continent of immense cultural diversity, is home to numerous festivals that showcase its rich traditions, history, and spiritual beliefs. These celebrations, from Ethiopia’s Timkat Festival to Ghana’s Chale Wote Festival, offer a deep dive into the continent’s cultural landscapes, fostering unity and preserving ancient customs. This article explores some of Africa’s most significant festivals that highlight the enduring role of tradition in modern life. The Timkat Festival: Ethiopia’s Spiritual Celebration In Ethiopia, the Timkat Festival is one of the most important religious observances. Celebrated annually in January, it commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday conveyed his condolences following the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, recognizing his significant contributions to global peace and diplomacy. In a statement, President Sisi expressed his sympathy to the Carter family and the people of the United States, saying, “I offer my condolences to the family of former President Jimmy Carter, as well as to the President and people of the United States.” Sisi acknowledged Carter’s pivotal role in advancing peace and humanitarian efforts, noting that his dedication to justice and human rights had a global impact. “President Carter’s belief in…

This past weekend, the southern Nigerian city of Calabar became the epicenter of one of the country’s most highly anticipated cultural events – the Calabar Carnival. Known as “Africa’s biggest street party,” the carnival, which spans the entire month of December, has grown into a celebration of Nigerian traditions, unity, and vibrant creativity. It draws an estimated two million people annually, both from within Nigeria and abroad. The highlight of the festivities was the grand parade, which took over the streets of Calabar with a kaleidoscope of color, sound, and movement. Floats adorned with intricate designs, along with dancers representing…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has expressed his close attention to the recently signed agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia, facilitated by Türkiye, highlighting its potential to enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa. The statement was made following a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the two leaders discussed regional developments and cooperation. Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting the agreement and its hope that it would contribute to resolving longstanding tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. The deal, brokered by Türkiye, comes at a crucial time for the Horn of Africa, a region that has…

Senegal is setting ambitious fiscal goals, aiming to reduce its budget deficit to 3% of GDP by 2027. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko revealed the government’s plan to implement significant spending cuts and improve tax collection starting in the coming year. The country is currently facing a budget deficit exceeding 11% of GDP for 2024, a sharp contrast to the 3% deficit recorded in 2017. According to a state audit, the average fiscal gap between 2019 and 2023 was nearly double the 5.5% reported during the presidency of Macky Sall. The rising fiscal deficit has led the International Monetary Fund (IMF)…

Ghana’s newly elected president, John Mahama, will assume office on January 7, 2024, at a time when the country is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades. As Ghana faces mounting poverty, instability in key industries, and a surge in unemployment, over 60% of the population has expressed a desire to emigrate, according to a recent survey by Afrobarometer Ghana. Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, emerged victorious in the December 2023 election after failed bids for re-election in 2016 and 2020. Despite celebrations from his party and supporters, Mahama faces an uphill battle as he…

A suspect has been arrested following a fire that erupted on Table Mountain, Cape Town’s world-renowned landmark, South African authorities confirmed on Monday. The blaze, which began last Friday, triggered a swift response from local emergency services and park rangers to prevent further damage to the mountain’s fragile ecosystem and the surrounding urban area. The fire broke out along the front face of Table Mountain, an area prone to wildfires due to dry conditions, high winds, and dense vegetation. Local authorities, including the South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers and city law enforcement officers, worked tirelessly to contain the flames…

Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar held a significant meeting on Sunday with Major General Hassan Rashad, the head of Egypt’s intelligence agency, in Benghazi. The discussion focused on the evolving situation in Libya and the broader regional dynamics. The talks underscored the longstanding historical and strategic ties between Egypt and Libya, particularly in the context of the ongoing political and security challenges facing the country. During the meeting, Rashad delivered a message of solidarity from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, expressing appreciation for Haftar’s leadership. He reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting Libya’s stability and efforts toward resolving the Libyan crisis.…

Zimbabwe’s ongoing drought, described as the most severe El Niño-induced dry spell since the country’s independence, has defied typical expectations of widespread food shortages. Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, called the situation “unusual,” noting the absence of the long food queues and rising prices usually associated with such droughts. Speaking at the 8th National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds in Bulawayo, Dr. Masuka credited Zimbabwe’s stable food situation to the “prudent leadership” of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He emphasized that despite the ongoing crisis, the government is steadfast…

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a forceful critique of France on Sunday, renewing calls for the former colonial power to acknowledge its historic crimes during Algeria’s 132 years of colonization. Speaking before both chambers of parliament, Tebboune reviewed the key achievements of his first presidential term (2019-2024) and laid out his agenda for his second term, which began in September 2024. His remarks, however, focused largely on addressing the lingering impact of colonialism on Algeria’s national consciousness. Tebboune reiterated that while Algeria does not seek financial compensation, it demands that France confront the painful legacy of its colonial past, which…

Three police officers were killed, and two others injured in a gas explosion at Egypt’s police academy in Cairo on Sunday night. The explosion occurred during maintenance work, according to a statement from the interior ministry shared on social media. The ministry described the incident as a tragic accident, with initial investigations suggesting no signs of foul play. Security officials believe the explosion was likely caused by a technical malfunction. Eyewitnesses reported a sudden and powerful blast that disrupted the normally secure facility, sending emergency responders rushing to the scene. The injured officers were taken to a nearby hospital for…

The Mozambican government has initiated a comprehensive investigation following the escape of 1,534 prisoners from two high-security prisons in the capital, Maputo. The dramatic breakout, which occurred on Wednesday, led to violent confrontations with prison staff, resulting in at least 33 deaths. The escape involved inmates from both the Central Prison and the Maximum Security Prison of Machava, also known as B.O., and has raised serious concerns about the country’s prison security protocols. Authorities have described the escape as one of the largest and most coordinated prison breaks in Mozambique’s recent history. In response to the scale of the escape…

Egypt has successfully completed a test run of a newly constructed 10-kilometer extension at the southern end of the Suez Canal, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance the waterway’s operational capacity. The new stretch, which is part of a broader expansion initiative, is expected to bolster the canal’s ability to handle increased shipping traffic, although it comes as revenue from the waterway has been severely impacted by regional instability. The Suez Canal Authority confirmed that during the trial run, two ships navigated the newly added two-way section without incident, signaling that the expansion is operationally…

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, declared on Friday that the government would close “all foreign military bases,” a move that is expected to predominantly affect French military forces. The announcement marks a decisive shift in Senegal’s foreign policy, highlighting tensions with its former colonial power, France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country. Sonko made the statement during a general policy address to the National Assembly, underscoring the government’s intention to remove all foreign troops. While the prime minister did not directly mention French military personnel, the move is widely understood to be focused on France, the only…

Mozambique’s president-elect, Daniel Chapo, has issued a call for national unity and peaceful resolution following a week of violent unrest triggered by his disputed election victory. The unrest, which erupted after the October 9 election results were confirmed by the Constitutional Council, has resulted in widespread protests, fatalities, and a mass exodus of citizens seeking refuge in neighboring Malawi. In his first public statement since the court’s decision, Chapo, who represents the long-standing Frelimo party, expressed deep regret over the violence and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusivity. “I will be the president of all Mozambicans,” he declared, emphasizing that after…