Author: WAJ Team

Petro de Luanda, the champions of the 2024 Basketball Africa League from Angola, are set to compete in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, taking place in Singapore from September 12 to 15. This prestigious tournament features top teams from around the world and starts with a notable game between Argentina’s Quimsa, the titleholders of the Basketball Champions League Americas, and NBA G League United. The tournament has expanded this year to include teams from every continent, a first in its history. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A includes Spain’s Unicaja, Angola’s Petro de Luanda, and Lebanon’s Al Riyadi,…

Botswana has embarked on a significant public health initiative by partnering with the American biotech firm Ginkgo Bioworks to implement advanced pathogen surveillance at its border entry points. This collaboration is aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to detect and respond to emerging disease threats, reflecting a proactive approach to safeguarding public health amid global health challenges. The surveillance program, which commenced with the introduction of mpox screening for travelers last month, represents a critical component of Botswana’s strategy to enhance early detection of potential health risks. Health officials emphasize that this initiative is designed to complement existing measures and…

Zimbabwe’s government revealed on Thursday that it is weighing a highly contentious proposal to cull its elephant population, aiming to address severe food shortages caused by an ongoing El Niño-induced drought. The plan, which has already sparked concerns among conservationists, is seen as a drastic measure to mitigate the effects of a climate crisis that has left millions across southern Africa without adequate food supplies. Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni explained that the country’s forests are overburdened by an excessive number of elephants, far more than the ecosystem can support. As part of the proposal, authorities are exploring the possibility of…

Rwanda is preparing to make a significant impact at the upcoming COP29 conference in Azerbaijan this November. This follows the recent introduction of the ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. The fund is designed to support countries that are most affected by climate change but have contributed minimally to the crisis. Herman Hakuzimana, the Deputy Lead Negotiator from the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), has outlined Rwanda’s key objectives for COP29. These include obtaining additional financial support and establishing transparent and inclusive mechanisms for direct access to the Loss and Damage Fund. This fund is crucial…

In a distressing development, an internal United Nations report has unveiled that more than 260 female inmates were sexually assaulted during a failed mass escape from Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), earlier this month. The attempted breakout on September 2 resulted in a tragic loss of at least 129 lives as prison guards resorted to live ammunition to prevent inmates from fleeing. The prison, which is officially designed to accommodate 1,500 inmates, was severely overcrowded, housing over 15,000 prisoners at the time. The government had initially confirmed that assaults on female prisoners occurred but did…

Tunisian coast guards successfully retrieved the bodies of five African women and a baby from the waters off the coastal town of Monastir, a tragic incident that highlights the ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting perilous sea crossings. Judge Farid Ben Jha confirmed the recovery of the bodies, stating that the operation took place late Wednesday. According to the judge, the deceased migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa, a region where many individuals, driven by conflict, poverty, or political instability, embark on dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean in search of safety or better opportunities in Europe. This incident adds to the…

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Cissoko Embalo has announced that he will not seek re-election in the November elections. Embalo, who has held office since January 2020 after winning with 54% of the vote, will step down at the end of his current term. This announcement, made on Thursday, has the potential to create a power vacuum and increase political instability in Guinea-Bissau, a nation with a tumultuous history of coups and unrest. Embalo explained that his decision was influenced by his wife’s advice. He did not name a successor and explicitly ruled out prominent opposition figures from consideration. Embalo, a former…

Uganda is poised for a significant economic boost with the anticipated start of commercial oil production, projected to elevate the country’s economic growth to 10.8% in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, beginning in July. This growth forecast represents a notable increase from the earlier projection of 6.2%. The upcoming surge in economic growth is expected to be driven primarily by the new oil industry. The commencement of petroleum extraction is anticipated to bring considerable improvements to Uganda’s fiscal health and financial stability. The country, after nearly 20 years of delays, is finally on the brink of starting oil production and export…

In 1890, British-born South African colonialists established Harare, which today stands as the capital of Zimbabwe. Located in the northeastern part of the country, Harare’s origins reflect a significant shift from a colonial outpost to a major urban center. Establishment and Naming of Harare Harare was founded as part of the British South Africa Company’s broader strategy to extend British influence in Southern Africa. Under the leadership of figures such as Cecil Rhodes, the company selected this location for its strategic importance. The Pioneer Column halted its advance into Mashonaland here, marking the beginning of Harare’s history. The city was…

Millions of African children are facing a severe educational crisis due to the ongoing impacts of armed conflict and insecurity, which have led to the closure of over 14,300 schools across 24 countries on the continent. The situation is particularly dire in countries like Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, where the number of closed schools is most significant. This crisis has left approximately 2.8 million children without access to education, severely affecting their future prospects and increasing their vulnerability to various risks. The closure of these schools not only disrupts the educational process…

Russia has recently honored the African Union (AU) with the inaugural Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize, a prestigious accolade named after the influential 19th-century Russian author known for his humanitarian work. This new prize, awarded by the Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation, recognizes the AU’s efforts in mitigating global threats such as nuclear war and preventing the outbreak of another world conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently facing charges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, expressed his support for the AU through a message accompanying the award. He commended the AU’s initiative, highlighting…

The United States is expected to announce its support for adding two permanent seats for African nations on the United Nations Security Council, along with a rotating seat for small island developing states. This move is part of the U.S.’s strategy to strengthen relations with Africa, which has expressed dissatisfaction with Washington’s stance on the Gaza conflict, and to build deeper ties with Pacific Island nations in response to China’s growing influence in the region. The proposal is seen as a step toward advancing reforms within the Security Council, aligning with President Joe Biden’s vision of reshaping global governance. In…

A two-day pan-African AI conference, co-hosted by the United States, came to a close on Wednesday in Lagos, Nigeria’s financial hub. The event, which aimed to accelerate the development and deployment of artificial intelligence across the continent, attracted hundreds of delegates from various sectors, including government officials, technology leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. The focus was on fostering the creation of AI systems that are safe, secure, and tailored to address Africa’s unique needs and challenges. The conference served as a critical platform for discussions around how Africa can tap into AI to boost sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education,…

A new report reveals a dire situation in West Africa as eleven ECOWAS countries collectively seized more than 83,000 kilograms of various drugs and 31,000 tablets throughout 2023. This extensive haul highlights the region’s escalating drug crisis, with significant quantities of cannabis, medical opioids, heroin, and cocaine being intercepted. The report sheds light on the rising trend of drug use among minors, calling for an urgent and comprehensive approach to prevention. It stresses the need for widespread substance abuse education and intervention programs in schools to counteract this troubling development. Additionally, the document emphasizes the importance of creating specialized rehabilitation…

In Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken steps to dissolve the National Assembly, a move critical for advancing his and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s agenda. This agenda emphasizes pan-Africanism and social justice but is currently hindered by the opposition’s control of the National Assembly. Faye’s decision follows a consultation with the Constitutional Council, which has affirmed his legal right to dissolve Parliament effective September 12. This confirmation sets the stage for significant political changes. On September 9, President Faye issued a note detailing the procedural requirements for the dissolution. He emphasized the importance of consulting both the prime minister…

The United States is planning to redeploy its military forces to other countries along the Atlantic coast in Africa following the recent withdrawal from Niger. A 10-person team, led by Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, has been designated to oversee the strategic relocation of some of the 1,100 U.S. troops who were stationed in Niger before being expelled. As part of this realignment, the U.S. is investing $4 million to upgrade airports in Benin, aiming to enhance facilities to accommodate military helicopters. This investment is part of a broader strategy to bolster regional operations. In Côte d’Ivoire, a team of U.S.…