- Ivory Coast Opposition Leader Renounces French Citizenship to Clear Path for Presidency
- UN General Assembly President Calls for Reforms and Digital Transformation in Africa
- FIFA Suspends Congo-Brazzaville from International Football
- UN Human Rights Council Establishes Fact-Finding Mission for Eastern Congo
- African Union: For An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa
- Egypt Leads Arab Opposition to Trump’s Gaza Plan
- Somaliland President to Lead High-Level Delegation to Saudi Arabia
- What Are Africa’s Biggest Conservation Efforts?
Author: WAJ Team
As Namibia gears up for its seventh election since independence on November 27, 2024, a significant decline in public trust toward the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has been noted, dropping by 29 percentage points over the last ten years. Recent findings from the Afrobarometer Round 10 survey show that while a substantial 74% of Namibians favor electing their leaders through regular, transparent, and fair elections, only 45% express confidence in the ECN. Alarmingly, just 16% of respondents report high levels of trust in the commission, a stark contrast to the 74% who expressed trust in 2014. Although Namibians have…
The Democratic Republic of Congo has raised serious concerns regarding Rwanda’s role in obstructing negotiations aimed at resolving the protracted M23 rebel conflict in eastern Congo, which has resulted in the displacement of over 1.7 million individuals. During a recent address to the U.N. Security Council, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner expressed her government’s frustrations, emphasizing that Rwanda’s actions have come in the wake of accusations from Rwandan officials about Congo’s reluctance to sign an agreement reached in late August through mediation by Angola. The Tutsi-led M23 group has been actively engaged in an insurgency in eastern Congo since…
On Tuesday, Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, announced that 15,000 residents have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2024. However, he revealed that approximately 32,000 people in Lagos are believed to be living with the disease, leaving around 17,000 cases undetected. Abayomi made this announcement during the investiture ceremony for the Champions and Ambassadors of the Lagos Steering Committee for TB, which is led by Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the wife of the Lagos State governor. He stressed the urgent need for increased diagnostic efforts, stating, “Federal Government statistics indicate that we should identify 32,000 Lagosians with tuberculosis. We…
On Tuesday, the Dominican Republic disclosed that it has deported or repatriated nearly 11,000 Haitians in the past week. This initiative aligns with the country’s commitment to carry out such operations weekly, as Haiti continues to grapple with escalating gang violence and widespread poverty. William Charpentier, who coordinates the National Coalition for Migrations and Refugees in the Dominican Republic, expressed concern over the situation, stating, “We have received reports indicating that police are actively conducting these operations. This amounts to a persecution of Black individuals and those perceived to be Haitians.” Recently, the Dominican Republic announced its plan to deport…
Mozambique’s general election kicked off on Wednesday, with voters casting their ballots in a tense atmosphere where the ruling party, Frelimo, is projected to maintain its long-standing grip on power. The party has ruled since the country’s independence in 1975, and this election comes as the nation faces pressing challenges, including pervasive poverty and a violent Islamist insurgency in the northern regions that has uprooted thousands and disrupted key gas projects. In the capital, Maputo, early morning rain did not deter voters from lining up at polling stations. Among them was 22-year-old student, who expressed optimism about the election’s impact…
Cameroonian officials have reaffirmed that President Paul Biya, 91, is in good health, dispelling rumors that have been circulating on both social and mainstream media. Biya, who has not made a public appearance since his official trip to China over a month ago, has prompted growing concern among citizens, many of whom are now demanding concrete proof of his well-being. In a statement released on Tuesday, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, director of the Civil Cabinet, emphasized that Biya is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, engaged in meetings and working for the country’s development. The statement was issued in response to unverified social…
At least 21 people have drowned following a collision between two unregistered passenger boats in Lagos state, Nigeria. The incident occurred on Monday in the town of Imore, within the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area. Reports indicate that both boats were carrying 16 passengers each when they capsized in the lagoon. Lagos state police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that 11 injured passengers were urgently taken to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for treatment. Emergency responders, including police teams and local divers, were quickly mobilized to the scene to assist with recovery efforts. Hundeyin stated that the search for the…
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met with Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Apollinaire J. Kyelem de Tambela in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the potential expansion of military ties between the two nations. This meeting reflects Russia’s interest in enhancing its military and economic presence in Africa amid increased competition with Western countries following the war in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has influenced Russia’s diplomatic strategies, prompting the country to seek partnerships in Africa. Following President Vladimir Putin’s decisive victory in the March presidential election, some African media outlets have indicated that his re-election may bolster the positions of Burkina Faso,…
UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the high levels of violence faced by children in Nigeria, with recent studies showing that nearly 60% of children are exposed to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse before the age of 18. Worryingly, only 5% of those affected receive the help and services they need. Speaking during a two-day forum in Abuja focused on ending violence against children, Mona Aika, UNICEF’s Child Protection Manager in Nigeria, emphasized the urgent need for action. She highlighted that Nigeria has already begun working to improve the ability of key institutions to tackle this issue. Through the INSPIRE…
Authorities have confirmed a case of mpox at Nakasongola prison in central Uganda. A prison spokesperson reported that the affected inmate has been isolated and is receiving treatment. This development follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August, triggered by an outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo that has also affected Burundi and Rwanda. The identification of mpox in an overcrowded Ugandan prison raises significant concerns for health officials. The virus, which spreads through close contact, typically presents with mild symptoms but can…
Inyambo, the iconic long-horned royal cows of Rwanda, have made a highly anticipated return to Bigogwe after nearly 50 years, signaling a revitalization of cultural tourism in the region. This momentous occasion not only reconnects the community with its heritage but also enriches the local cultural landscape, appealing to both residents and visitors alike. Historically significant, Inyambo are more than just livestock; they represent the ancient Rwandan practices of selective breeding and symbolize the nation’s rich cultural heritage. The presence of these cows reflects the traditional values and practices that have shaped Rwandan society for centuries. Bigogwe, nestled in the…
Displaced islanders from the Chagos Islands demonstrated outside the UK Parliament on Monday, voicing their opposition to a recent agreement they believe has determined the future of their homeland without their involvement. These islanders were forcibly removed from their remote Indian Ocean home five decades ago to make way for the establishment of a US military base. Last week, the British government announced that it would transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius under an agreement that allows the continued presence of the US naval and bomber base on Diego Garcia. Critics of this deal have raised concerns about…
As Mozambique prepares for its presidential election on Wednesday, the incoming leader will face a series of economic hurdles, including the effects of severe cyclones, rising insecurity, delays in major gas projects, and a high debt burden. Ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo is the current frontrunner in the race, competing against three other candidates vying to succeed Felipe Nyusi as president of the southeast African nation. The country is grappling with escalating borrowing costs, which are pushing it toward tighter fiscal policies. Delays in expected gas revenues further complicate the situation, leaving limited options for refinancing its debt, which nearly…
Fortuna Mining (FVI.TO) stated on Monday that the government of Burkina Faso has confirmed it will not revoke the Canadian company’s existing mining permits. This follows comments made by leader Ibrahim Traoré on Saturday, where he mentioned plans to withdraw permits from certain foreign companies to enhance local gold production, but did not provide details on which permits would be impacted. As a result, shares of gold mining firms operating in Burkina Faso took a significant hit during trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Monday, dragging down the overall market index. Fortuna Mining’s stock fell by 9% by 3:25…
The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) is intensifying efforts to combat increasing malnutrition rates among children in Malawi, where an ongoing drought has led to severe food shortages. This drought is the most significant to impact southern Africa in decades, affecting not only Malawi but also neighboring countries. Malawi has been grappling with food insecurity for the last three years, largely due to a series of natural disasters. These include Tropical Storm Ana in 2022 and Tropical Cyclone Freddy in 2023, compounded by the current El Niño phenomenon, which has resulted in extreme drought conditions across the region. According to…
Zambia has entered into a significant partnership with China to establish the country’s first cholera vaccine manufacturing plant, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday. This $37 million initiative will focus on producing three million doses in its initial phase, through a joint venture between Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and China’s Jijia International Medical Technology Corporation. Speaking at the signing ceremony held at State House in Lusaka, President Hakainde Hichilema emphasized the critical role this project will play in Zambia’s ongoing efforts to combat cholera, a disease that has been a recurring public health issue,…