Author: WAJ Team

Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in the capital on Friday, intensifying protests against President Kais Saied just two days before a presidential election widely seen as manipulated. Protesters accused Saied of eliminating key opponents to secure a victory and tighten his grip on power. Demonstrators carried signs with slogans like “Farce elections” and “Freedoms, not a lifelong presidency,” marching down Habib Bourguiba Avenue, a significant landmark from the 2011 revolution that ended the reign of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Tensions in Tunisia have been mounting after Saied’s electoral commission disqualified three major candidates, prompting accusations of unfair tactics.…

Hundreds of Ghanaians have taken to the streets for a second day on Friday, passionately demanding government intervention to combat illegal mining in the country, which is recognized as Africa’s largest gold producer. Protests began Thursday, with demonstrators holding placards urging the release of their peers who had been arrested during a previous rally. As the protests continued into Friday, participants shifted their focus to the urgent need for action against illegal mining practices, which they claim are causing severe pollution of rivers and degradation of soil across the nation. This alarming environmental crisis has ignited widespread concern among citizens,…

Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors faced a heartbreaking elimination from the 2025 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification after a gripping 6-5 defeat in a penalty shootout against Zambia in the COSAFA Qualifier semifinals held in Mozambique. The match kicked off with Zambia displaying dominance, particularly in the first half. Mumba Mwale opened the scoring early, finding the back of the net with a powerful shot that soared into the roof of the goal following a crucial deflection. Just 25 minutes into the match, Zambia’s captain, David Simukonda, showcased his leadership by connecting with a precise cross from Emmanuel Mwanza, heading…

President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame arrived in Paris yesterday to participate in the highly anticipated 19th Summit of La Francophonie, gathering alongside other influential Heads of State and Government from around the globe. The summit, co-hosted by Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to prioritize youth employment, a critical issue facing many countries today. The organizers have indicated that this event will emphasize the significance of creativity, innovation, and the potential for conducting business in the French language, showcasing the importance of language in fostering economic…

A notable conference titled “French Policy of Neocolonialism in Africa” took place on October 3, 2024, in Baku, drawing attention to the enduring effects of French colonialism on the continent. Organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), the event featured a diverse array of speakers who passionately condemned Paris’s ongoing interference in the internal affairs of its former colonies in Africa. The timing of the conference is particularly significant, coinciding with a growing wave of demands from several African nations for increased sovereignty and autonomy in their foreign relations. Countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have recently taken…

South Africa is likely to see a sixth straight month of petrol price cuts amid changing fuel market conditions. After five months of reductions, early October data shows significant over-recoveries in fuel prices, suggesting continued relief for consumers. This trend reflects ongoing efforts to ease the financial burden of rising fuel costs on South African households. The Central Energy Fund (CEF) reported an over-recovery of about 82 cents per liter for petrol and 77 cents per litre for diesel in the first week of October. This positive data indicates that November might bring another price cut, continuing the recent downward…

In a significant move towards enhancing climate action, Rwanda and Sweden have entered into a strategic partnership to boost climate finance through the carbon market. This agreement, formally signed by Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment and the Swedish Energy Agency, aims to facilitate the trading of carbon credits, thereby strengthening both countries’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet their respective climate goals. The carbon market serves as a vital mechanism that allows countries or companies that continue to emit greenhouse gases to invest in green projects located in nations that have successfully reduced their emissions. These reductions are quantified…

Ghana’s health authorities have confirmed the country’s first case of mpox for 2024, although the specific variant involved has not yet been revealed. Health officials are conducting tests to determine whether this case is linked to the clade Ib variant, which has raised significant global concerns due to its rapid transmission and the limited understanding of its characteristics and potential impacts. The patient, described as a young male, is presenting with symptoms that include fever, rash, and body pain, which are typical of mpox infections. In response to the confirmed case, health authorities have identified 25 individuals who had close…

Nigeria is strategically positioning itself to attract up to $10 billion in investments for deep-water gas exploration by implementing a comprehensive set of tax incentives and other measures outlined in a newly approved policy framework. A government official revealed that the framework has been endorsed by the Federal Executive Council and is set to be submitted to the National Assembly for further legislative approval. This innovative policy aims to catalyze growth in Nigeria’s offshore gas sector, where approximately 67% of the nation’s resources remain untapped and underdeveloped. It incorporates tax credits for new investments, as noted by Olu Verheijen, a…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially approved its first emergency use diagnostic test for mpox, developed by Abbott Laboratories, to bolster testing efforts in African countries grappling with outbreaks of the disease. Named the Alinity m MPXV assay, this test utilizes real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to identify mpox virus DNA from samples collected from human skin lesions. It is designed for use by trained clinical laboratory staff, facilitating swift and accurate detection of the virus, as highlighted by the WHO. Yukiko Nakatani, the WHO’s assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products, remarked on the significance…

The Constitutional Court of South Africa is set to hear a pivotal case next month that could revive impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. This case, initiated by two opposition parties, centers around a scandal involving over $500,000 in cash that was hidden in a couch at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm and subsequently stolen. In 2022, Ramaphosa successfully dodged an impeachment vote when his party, the African National Congress (ANC), utilized its parliamentary majority to block the motion. This decision came despite an independent report suggesting the need for a thorough investigation into the president’s actions. Since then, the…

Mozambique, a nation deeply scarred by 16 years of civil war, embarked on a hopeful journey towards peace with the signing of the General Peace Accord (GPA) in Rome on October 4, 1992. This landmark agreement, which aimed to end the brutal conflict that had devastated the country, was the result of 12 intense rounds of negotiations between President Joaquim Chissano and RENAMO leader Afonso Dhlakama. The United Nations (UN) played a pivotal role in this transformative process, establishing the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) under UN Security Council Resolution 797 to oversee the implementation of the GPA. ONUMOZ’s…

At least 78 people have drowned after a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized on Thursday in Lake Kivu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, provincial authorities have confirmed. The boat was en route to the city of Goma when it overturned, throwing passengers into the water just 700 meters from the shore. The tragic incident unfolded in calm waters, raising further concerns about the conditions on the vessel. Governor Jean Jacques Purisi of South Kivu province reported that 78 bodies had been recovered so far, but he cautioned that the final death toll could rise as rescue efforts…

Mozambique is set to hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on October 9, marking the end of President Filipe Nyusi’s two-term administration. This electoral event is especially significant as it takes place against the backdrop of a protracted conflict in the Cabo Delgado province, where government forces are engaged in a fierce battle against militants linked to the Islamic State. The violence in this resource-rich region has severely impacted the local economy and security, particularly following a major attack in 2021 that forced TotalEnergies to suspend its ambitious $20 billion liquefied natural gas project, which was anticipated to bring substantial…

The Lagos State Government has secured a €120 million financial commitment from the Dutch Government to support its waste-to-energy project, which aims to convert waste into electricity. This initiative is being executed in collaboration with Dutch firm, Harvest Waste Consortium, according to the state’s Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. Wahab made the announcement on Wednesday through his official post on X, detailing that the project will use the decommissioned Epe landfill to process between 2,500 to 3,000 tons of waste daily from the 13,000 to 14,000 tons generated across Lagos. This initiative is part of a…

The United Kingdom has officially announced the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a landmark decision that facilitates the return of individuals displaced decades ago while maintaining the operational status of the critical military base on Diego Garcia. This agreement ensures the strategic airbase, which is co-managed with the United States, will continue to function effectively, allowing Mauritius to resettle its islands after the local population was forcibly removed in the 1970s. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his support for the deal, emphasizing that it would secure the effective operation of Diego Garcia into the next century.…