Author: WAJ Team

Sudanese authorities have successfully resumed operations on the vital railway route linking Port Sudan in the eastern Red Sea State with Atbara in the northern River Nile State. The service had been suspended for months due to the ongoing civil conflict that erupted in mid-April 2023. The first train departed Port Sudan on Thursday evening and arrived in Atbara on Friday, marking a significant milestone as the first railway line in Sudan to resume operation since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began. This development is seen as a crucial step…

Nigeria and China have renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion Yuan ($2 billion), in a bid to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) confirmed that the deal would remain in place for another three years, with the option for renewal upon mutual agreement. Initially signed in June 2018, the currency swap agreement was designed to facilitate smoother trade by allowing for direct exchanges between the Chinese Yuan and Nigerian Naira. This bypasses the US dollar, reducing transaction costs and mitigating risks associated with currency fluctuations. The move is aimed…

Zimbabwe has announced a strategic partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Russian investors to explore the development of nuclear energy, aiming to resolve the country’s long-standing electricity shortages. Government officials revealed the news on Thursday, outlining a plan to diversify the nation’s energy sources and increase capacity. The Zimbabwean government is particularly interested in small, modular nuclear reactors, which are seen as a potential solution to the country’s chronic power supply issues. Edgar Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, “Our international partners have shown a strong commitment to guiding…

The Nigerian military has acknowledged that an airstrike targeting a suspected Lakurawa group hideout in Sokoto state inadvertently caused the deaths of 10 civilians. Army spokesperson Edward Buba confirmed on Friday that the fatalities were due to secondary explosions triggered during the operation. The airstrike, which occurred near the villages of Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa, was intended to dismantle the activities of the Lakurawa group, a newly emerging insurgent faction infiltrating Nigeria’s northwest from neighboring Niger and Mali. Initially, the military announced the strike without mentioning civilian casualties. However, Sokoto state governor Ahmed Aliyu later disclosed that the air…

Zambia has confirmed its second case of mpox, nearly three months after the country reported its first, amid a broader public health concern across Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that nearly 14,000 cases and 60 deaths have been recorded across 20 countries on the continent, with the outbreak continuing to spread. The most recent case in Zambia involves a 34-year-old woman from Kitwe in the Copperbelt Province. Her husband, who works in a neighboring country where mpox cases have been confirmed, exhibited similar symptoms earlier this month. Both individuals are reported to be stable and are receiving close…

In Ghana, local artisans are playing a crucial role in empowering women, fostering economic independence, and preserving cultural heritage. Through various initiatives and projects, these artisans are providing women with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in their communities. Geolicrafts: Weaving Dreams with Fair Trade One notable initiative is Geolicrafts, which focuses on empowering underprivileged rural women through fair-trade standards and training. Geolicrafts has established a training center where women learn weaving skills and advanced handicraft design. The project has successfully provided weaving skills to 286 individuals, with 264 of them being women. Additionally, 238 individuals have been engaged…

A surge in illegal succulent plant poaching in South Africa’s remote Namaqualand region has intensified concerns over the preservation of its unique biodiversity. Criminal syndicates are capitalizing on rising global demand for rare plants, undermining local ecosystems and exacerbating economic challenges for communities already struggling with poverty. Succulent plants, known for their ability to thrive in arid climates, are increasingly targeted by poachers due to their popularity among collectors. Many of these plants, particularly from the Succulent Karoo desert, are found only in South Africa and Namibia, with some species so localized that even minimal poaching could result in their…

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, announced on Friday that his government would introduce a bill to revoke the controversial law granting amnesty to former President Macky Sall for political violence that led to numerous deaths over three years. In a policy speech before lawmakers, Sonko stated that alongside allocating funds for victim compensation in the national budget, the government would submit a draft law to the National Assembly to annul the amnesty granted on March 6, 2024. “This is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation of the events, regardless of where the responsibility lies,” Sonko affirmed. The…

In a bid to revitalize Rwanda’s struggling sericulture sector, the government has engaged in talks with Silk Road Africa (SRA), a UK-based advisory and investment firm. The initiative comes as part of Rwanda’s broader efforts to reinstate its dormant silk industry, which has been inactive for the past four years following the closure of the nation’s only silk factory. Silk Road Africa has partnered with Switzerland’s Trudel Silk and US-based Solidaridad, forming a consortium to inject expertise and resources into the country’s silk production chain. Chi Atanga, CEO of SRA, confirmed in an exclusive interview that discussions with the Rwandan…

The South African rand made a modest recovery on Friday following two days of declines, as market activity remained subdued during the holiday period. At 0730 GMT, the rand was trading at 18.66 to the US dollar, marking a 1.1% rebound from its previous close. The currency had faced pressure earlier in the week, losing around 1% against the dollar over Wednesday and Thursday, which coincided with the Christmas Day and Boxing Day public holidays. These days typically see thinner trading volumes, contributing to heightened volatility in the foreign exchange market. Analysts noted that the rand’s movement during the holiday…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed serious concern over the ongoing violence in Mozambique following the country’s contentious presidential elections held on October 9. In a statement released on Thursday, Guterres condemned the violence, which has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction of both public and private property. “The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the post-election unrest that has led to fatalities and severe property damage,” said UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay. She further noted that Guterres is closely following developments in the country and is deeply concerned about the rising tensions. Guterres has called on all political…

Gabonese authorities have detained eight officers in connection with the death of Johan Bounda, a young soldier allegedly tortured after being accused of attempting to steal from a superior’s residence. According to the defense ministry, Bounda was taken to the military security unit, widely known as B2, where the alleged torture took place. The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Gabon, especially after graphic images of Bounda’s mutilated body surfaced in a mortuary and circulated widely on social media. In response to the public outcry, authorities have pledged a thorough investigation, with General Brice Oligui Nguema convening an emergency meeting…

At least 70 people are missing after a migrant boat sank off the coast of Morocco on December 19, according to the Malian government. Among the missing are 25 Malians, including several young individuals, who were part of the group attempting the dangerous journey to Spain. The boat, carrying an estimated 80 people, capsized while navigating the perilous sea route, which has long been a route for migrants seeking to reach Europe. Eleven people were rescued, including nine Malians, the government stated. The rescue operation involved cooperation with local officials, embassies, and survivors who provided crucial details about the incident.…

Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, announced on Thursday that the government is advancing plans to include private sector companies in the management and operation of the country’s airports. This step is part of broader efforts to modernize Egypt’s civil aviation sector and increase efficiency. In a statement from the Egyptian Cabinet, Madbouly confirmed that the government had approved an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a prominent member of the World Bank Group. The agreement aims to facilitate private sector participation in the management of Egypt’s airports, a move that underscores the country’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and…

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, expressed deep concern over the rising violence in Mozambique following the announcement of the country’s recent election results. In a statement issued on Thursday, Mahamat strongly condemned the unrest that has erupted after the Constitutional Council’s declaration of Daniel Chapo as the winner of the October 9 general elections. The post-election violence, which has claimed the lives of over 100 civilians and left hundreds more injured, has sparked widespread chaos across various regions of Mozambique. Local media reports indicate that the violence began shortly after the Constitutional Council officially confirmed…

The Nigerian government has once again firmly rejected claims of conspiring with France to destabilize its neighboring country, Niger. In a statement released on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as “unfounded” and “counterproductive,” emphasizing that Nigeria respects the sovereignty of all nations and is focused on tackling security challenges within its borders. “These accusations are completely baseless. Nigeria’s priority is to ensure peace and security within its own borders, and we have no intention of undermining the stability of Niger or any other neighboring country,” Idris said. His remarks came just days after the Nigerian…