Author: WAJ Team

Zimbabwe is facing a profound humanitarian crisis, driven largely by El Niño-induced droughts that have ravaged the country’s agricultural sector. Peter Gift Mutasa, Chairperson of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and a prominent political commentator, shared critical insights on the worsening situation. According to Mutasa, the El Niño phenomenon has brought about severe storms and prolonged dry spells, which have decimated more than half of Zimbabwe’s harvest. This disaster has plunged approximately 7.6 million Zimbabweans into a state of acute hunger. Mutasa elaborated that the food insecurity crisis is expected to intensify between January and March, with projections indicating that…

South African actor Sello Motloung has passed away at the age of 54 following a collapse at his Johannesburg home on Sunday afternoon. Eloife Clasen from Artist Connection, his agency, confirmed that despite being rushed to the hospital by his wife, Motloung tragically died later that day. The sudden death of Motloung has deeply impacted both his family and his professional community. Clasen expressed profound grief, noting that Motloung was a cherished member of their agency and that his loss is felt keenly. Known for his passionate support of Orlando Pirates, Motloung had recently shared a light-hearted post on social…

Two tragic incidents unfolded on Saturday as a traveler died at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, while another individual lost their life at King Shaka International Airport in Durban. Both cases are currently under investigation, with authorities yet to determine the exact cause of death. At OR Tambo, officials were alerted to a distressing event around 3:10 p.m. A report indicated that an individual had fallen from the fifth level of the airport’s parking structure to the ground below. Law enforcement and medical teams, including those stationed at the airport’s 24-hour clinic, responded immediately. Despite their swift efforts, paramedics pronounced…

On Sunday, Moroccan authorities successfully halted a major migration effort as hundreds of individuals attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. This operation was reportedly triggered by social media campaigns encouraging the crossings, which led to a surge in attempts Ceuta, along with Melilla—another Spanish territory located on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast—has long been a focal point for irregular migration. These enclaves are unique as they are the only European Union territories that share a land border with Africa, making them prime targets for those seeking to enter Europe. On the day of the incident, large groups of people,…

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are preparing to launch a new biometric passport system, as announced by Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the alliance among these nations, which have been increasingly isolating themselves from traditional regional frameworks following their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Since 2020, the three Sahelian countries have been under military rule following a series of coups. In response to these changes, they formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, shifting their geopolitical orientation from former colonial power…

As Namibia approaches its critical November election, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) have unveiled a comprehensive manifesto aimed at tackling key national issues with innovative strategies. Addressing Youth Unemployment Central to the IPC’s plan is combating the high youth unemployment rate, which stood at 46.1% in 2023. IPC leader Panduleni Itula, running for president for the second time, has proposed a plan to cut youth unemployment by 50% over the next five years. This includes creating sustainable job opportunities for graduates, ensuring 80% secure employment within a year, and doubling youth entrepreneurship. Itula envisions that by 2028, 90% of…

Rwanda has achieved a distinguished ranking in the latest Global Cybersecurity Index, with a score between 95-100%. This exceptional performance has placed the country in the top tier of the index, recognizing it as one of the 46 nations classified as “Role Models” for their exemplary adherence to all five core cybersecurity pillars: legal measures, technical measures, organizational measures, capacity building, and cooperation. Among the nations awarded this elite status are several African countries, including Mauritius, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. Rwanda stands out in this group, joining global leaders like the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Qatar, who are…

On Saturday, thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of the capital city to protest against what they view as the worsening state of their country. This demonstration coincided with the official launch of the presidential election campaign, underscoring the growing discontent among citizens. Samia Abbou, a former assembly member and one of the protestors, openly criticized President Kais Saied for his perceived failures to address crucial issues. Abbou and other demonstrators pointed to the country’s mounting economic difficulties and political instability. They carried placards highlighting the rising prices of essential goods and voiced concerns about increasing restrictions on civil…

In northwestern Nigeria, a devastating accident occurred when a boat carrying more than 50 passengers sank on the Gummi River in Zamfara State, resulting in over 40 people feared dead. The boat was transporting 53 farmers to their fields on Saturday when it capsized. Authorities have confirmed that only 12 people were rescued shortly after the sinking, while the search for the remaining passengers, who are presumed dead, continues. The vessel was reported to be significantly overloaded, which contributed to its overturning. The incident has drawn a somber response from Nigeria’s President, who extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families…

In a significant legal development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a military court has issued death sentences to 37 individuals, including three U.S. citizens, for their involvement in a failed coup attempt in May. The court, presided over by Freddy Ehume, delivered its verdict during a live television broadcast on Friday, imposing the death penalty for charges including criminal association, attack, and terrorism. Among those sentenced are a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian, all of whom now have five days to appeal the court’s decision. The trial, which commenced in June, resulted in the acquittal of 14…

President Joe Biden is scheduled to make his first visit to Angola in the coming weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter. This landmark trip will mark the first time a sitting U.S. president has visited Angola and is seen as part of Biden’s broader effort to strengthen relations with African nations. The visit is expected to take place following the United Nations General Assembly in late September and before the U.S. presidential election in November. The White House has not officially commented on the details of the trip, but Biden’s visit is seen as a strategic move to…

A comprehensive plan has been introduced to facilitate the distribution of mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments to the most vulnerable populations in the world’s poorest countries. This plan comes in the wake of the recent approval of the first mpox vaccine and reflects the extensive global efforts observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is designed to enhance vaccine access in African nations that have been severely impacted by mpox, particularly as a new strain of the virus spreads from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this outbreak a global public…

Nigeria is set to benefit from a substantial N589 billion (£272.6 million) as a result of eight new partnership agreements signed with the United Kingdom in Abuja. These agreements, endorsed by Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and the UK’s Charge d’Affaires, aim to strengthen collaboration in crucial areas including governance, climate change, education, health, and economic development. During the signing ceremony, the Nigerian minister expressed gratitude for the UK’s significant support, which he viewed as a testament to the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. He highlighted the importance of these agreements given the ongoing global economic…

Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has signaled that he may reconsider his earlier decision not to run for re-election, following an emotional response from the public. In a recent media address, Embaló expressed surprise at the reactions, noting that some citizens were so affected by his decision that they declared a state of mourning. “I see that the population has been in shock since yesterday, and some have even declared mourning. This is worth thinking about,” he said, indicating that public sentiment could influence his final stance on the matter. The next presidential election in Guinea-Bissau is scheduled for November…

In a significant diplomatic meeting on Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore engaged with Ghana’s National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah to discuss bolstering cooperation in the fight against insecurity. The discussions aimed to deepen the partnership between the two neighboring countries and address mutual security concerns. During the meeting, Traore expressed his gratitude for Ghana’s crucial role in hosting refugees fleeing the ongoing unrest in Burkina Faso. He highlighted the importance of the strong and cooperative relationship between the two nations, which has been instrumental in managing the refugee crisis. Kan-Dapaah, in response, reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering support for…

In Liberia, the United Nations has taken significant steps to assist those affected by the recent severe flooding by directing its agencies to provide targeted support. A substantial aid package totaling $1.5 million has been allocated to help address the immediate needs of flood victims. On September 10, 2024, during a press briefing in Monrovia, the Executive Director of Liberia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) discussed the ongoing challenges faced by the country in managing such disasters. The Director highlighted that the country’s disaster response capabilities are hampered by infrastructural deficiencies, which have exacerbated the impact of the flooding. The…