Author: WAJ Team

Thousands of contract workers at Firestone Liberia LLC have launched an indefinite strike to protest poor working conditions and the lack of retirement benefits. The strike, which began on Thursday, involves around 70,000 non-permanent employees who are demanding better compensation and security for their years of service. The workers are calling for the introduction of a retirement benefit, equal to one month’s wages for each year worked. Currently, employees receive no severance or retirement benefits upon leaving the company, leading to growing dissatisfaction among long-term workers. Marcus Blamah, Secretary-General of the National Timber, Wood, Construction & Allied Workers’ Union of…

In a significant step towards enhancing regional collaboration, Egypt and Iraq have signed 12 comprehensive cooperation agreements during an extended session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee. This development marks a new phase in the two nations’ partnership, with agreements spanning multiple sectors aimed at fostering sustainable economic, cultural, and infrastructural growth. The agreements, which cover a wide range of areas, demonstrate both countries’ commitment to long-term bilateral cooperation. The first agreement lays the foundation for local development cooperation, emphasizing governance and urban planning to drive more efficient and sustainable cities. A major highlight is the second MoU, signed between…

Rebels supported by Rwanda, who have recently seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, announced on Thursday their intent to march toward the capital, Kinshasa. In response, President Félix Tshisekedi called for a mass mobilization of military forces to resist the insurgency, while Congo’s Defense Minister firmly rejected any prospects for negotiations with the M23 rebel group. Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, in a video statement, underscored the government’s stance against dialogue. “We will stay here in Congo and fight. If we do not stay alive here, let’s stay dead here,” he asserted, signaling the government’s commitment…

In a significant display of solidarity, Sao Tome and Principe has reiterated its unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, particularly regarding the Sahara region. This affirmation was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Ilza Maria dos Santos during her inaugural visit to Morocco in her capacity as the country’s foreign minister. Meeting with her Moroccan counterpart, Minister Nasser Bourita, in Rabat, Minister dos Santos underscored the firm position of Sao Tome and Principe on the Sahara issue. She emphasized that her country continues to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over all of its territories, including the disputed Sahara region. “We firmly support Morocco’s…

Seven people lost their lives, and four others sustained critical injuries in a tragic road accident in Senegal’s central Kaolack Region on Thursday, local authorities confirmed. The collision, which occurred in the Nioro du Rip department, involved a passenger bus and a private car. According to fire and rescue official Mamadou Yaga Mane, the impact was so severe that seven individuals died instantly. Emergency responders rushed the injured to the regional hospital for urgent medical care. Senegal, a West African nation with a population of 17 million, has been grappling with high road fatality rates. Data from the World Bank…

The ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has raised urgent public health concerns, with the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warning that the violence could lead to a major pandemic. Jean Kaseya, the CDC’s director, called for an immediate end to the “unnecessary war” in the region, emphasizing that continued fighting could exacerbate existing health threats and overwhelm an already fragile healthcare system. Kaseya’s warning comes amid rising tensions as the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, advances through eastern DRC. The conflict has displaced millions, adding to the strain…

Guinea’s government spokesperson, Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, expressed uncertainty on Thursday about the feasibility of holding a presidential election in 2025, despite earlier suggestions from the country’s leadership that elections could be held before the year’s end. After taking power in a 2021 coup, the military government had initially committed to organizing a constitutional referendum and transferring power to elected civilians by the end of 2024. However, these promises have yet to be fulfilled. In a New Year’s address, General Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of the current government, referred to 2025 as a crucial year for Guinea’s political transition, aiming to…

Guinea has been officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health concern. This milestone makes it the first neglected tropical disease to be eradicated in the country and signals a major breakthrough in public health efforts across Africa. The announcement comes just ahead of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, observed on January 30, and highlights the progress made in controlling diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the achievement, calling it “a testament to global…

Health officials in Uganda have confirmed an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in the capital, Kampala, following verification from three National Reference Laboratories. The first reported case involves a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital (NRH), who sought medical attention at several healthcare facilities before the virus was identified. In response to the outbreak, Uganda’s health authorities have quickly deployed rapid response teams to control the situation. Contact tracing is underway, with officials working to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities have reassured the public that all necessary measures are being…

In a firm response to what it deems discriminatory behavior, Algeria has lodged an official protest against French border authorities following repeated reports of mistreatment of Algerian nationals at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. The Algerian government is calling for immediate action to end the alleged “provocative and degrading” treatment by French officials. The Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern” over testimonies from travelers, some of whom claim to have experienced humiliating and discriminatory practices at the hands of French border police. In an official statement, the Ministry highlighted these accounts as evidence of systemic bias, prompting the government’s…

More than 280 Romanian mercenaries, who had been fighting alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), surrendered to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels on Wednesday following the fall of Goma city. The city was captured by M23 forces on Monday after days of fierce fighting, marking a significant shift in control of the region. The mercenaries, who had been part of FARDC’s defense against the advancing rebels, were paraded at the Grande Barrière border in Rubavu, where M23 military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma, addressed them directly. He issued a stern warning to the mercenaries,…

In a defiant statement, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame declared that his country is prepared for “confrontation,” responding firmly to international criticism over its backing of M23 rebels advancing in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). M23 forces, with alleged support from Rwandan troops, captured the strategically important city of Goma earlier this week and are now pushing southward towards Bukavu, marking the largest escalation in the region’s long-standing conflict since 2012. The escalating violence, which has sparked widespread concern, follows a series of interventions by Rwanda in the DRC over the past three decades, including direct military involvement and…

Angola is gearing up for the sixth edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference & Exhibition to be held on September 3-4, 2025, in the country’s capital, Luanda. This year’s event is set to be the largest of its kind, coinciding with Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence, and will serve as the premier platform for oil and gas investment in Africa. The AOG 2025 conference is poised to bring together global industry leaders, financiers, technology innovators, and service providers from around the world to discuss opportunities and advancements within Angola’s booming energy sector. Under the theme “Turning Dialogue…

Rwanda has launched its first-ever Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Challenge, bringing together ten elite police teams from across Eastern Africa to enhance security collaboration and operational readiness. The two-day tactical event, which kicked off at the Counter Terrorism Training Centre in Mayange, Bugesera District, aims to bolster the region’s response capabilities to critical security threats. Teams from eight African nations—Rwanda, Djibouti, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—are taking part in this prestigious challenge, showcasing their skills in real-world scenarios. This competition is part of the ongoing 26th Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Annual General Meeting…

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has announced that the country has secured a significant $1.1 billion investment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at providing electricity to 5 million Nigerians by 2026. This move comes as part of the government’s broader efforts to address the country’s energy deficit and expand access to reliable power for millions of citizens. Speaking at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, delivered by Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, President Tinubu further highlighted the AfDB’s $200 million contribution to the Nigeria Electrification Project. This initiative is expected to provide electricity…

Ghana’s illegal mining crisis has spiraled into an urgent national concern, severely impacting the country’s environment, economy, and social fabric. Despite ongoing efforts by successive governments, the practice remains deeply entrenched, with devastating consequences for communities across the country. Over 1.1 million Ghanaians, particularly youth facing high unemployment, are estimated to be involved in illegal mining activities, while foreign nationals from neighboring countries such as Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso, along with individuals from China, have also become active participants. The informal mining sector, driven by the promise of quick profits, has continued to undermine the formal economy, especially in…