Author: WAJ Team

Twenty medical students from Nigeria, who were kidnapped en route to a conference, have been released after being held for over a week. The abduction occurred on August 15 in Benue State, where the students were taken by gunmen who initially demanded a ransom. On Saturday, Nigerian authorities confirmed that the students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were freed on Friday. The release was achieved without any ransom, with the operation described as executed “tactically and professionally.” A specialized tactical unit had been deployed to Benue State in response to the increasing number of abductions in…

At least 15 people, including children, were killed in a series of drone strikes on Sunday in the northern town of Tinzaouaten, near the Algerian border, according to local reports. The strikes occurred in an area where intense fighting had recently taken place between Malian forces and insurgent groups. This latest attack follows earlier airstrikes by Malian forces targeting insurgents around Tinzaouaten after a deadly clash in July, which resulted in significant casualties among Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries. The town has been a focal point of conflict, with various groups vying for control in the volatile region. On Sunday,…

For the first time since the global outbreak began in 2022, Côte d’Ivoire has confirmed cases of mpox Clade 2. Health authorities revealed that at least 28 cases have been identified, with one resulting in death. The development comes as Thailand also reports its first case of a more lethal strain of mpox, marking the first known instance of this strain in Asia. The infected individual in Thailand had recently traveled from Africa. Health officials in Côte d’Ivoire are stepping up monitoring and response efforts in light of the recent cases. “We have recorded 28 confirmed cases and one death,”…

In Limpopo, a farmer and two employees appeared in court on Friday, facing charges related to the murder of two women whose decomposed bodies were discovered in a pigsty. Zachariah Olivier, 60, along with Adriaan de Wet, 19, and William Musoro, 45, are charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and obstructing justice. Musoro also faces charges for violating immigration laws due to his illegal status. The court has postponed the case to August 30 for a formal bail hearing. The arrests followed the finding of the bodies on a farm in…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the R44 million spent on four imbizos in the last eight months, labeling it as “money well spent” despite backlash and a complaint from the civil society group #NotInMyName to the public protector. At the first imbizo of his second term in Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa acknowledged the high cost but underscored the importance of these meetings for engaging with the public. Attendees, including government ministers and provincial leaders, raised concerns about persistent problems such as inadequate water supply, housing shortages, and electricity issues. One resident’s plea for stable home ownership highlighted the widespread frustration. The meeting…

The United Kingdom-Zimbabwe Business Expo, scheduled for October, is poised to be a major event in boosting the economic relationship between Zimbabwe and its Diaspora community. The expo, organized by the Zimbabweans in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO) and Vaka Ekhaya, aims to open up significant investment opportunities and encourage wealth creation, aligning with the Zimbabwean government’s initiative to involve the Diaspora in the country’s economic progress. Set to be held at the Bethel Convention Centre in Birmingham, the event is anticipated to attract a large number of Zimbabweans from the UK and other regions, positioning itself as a crucial platform for…

In response to a severe and prolonged drought, Namibia’s government has decided to cull over 700 animals from its national parks. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism announced that this measure is intended to reduce the strain on limited grazing resources and supply much-needed meat to vulnerable communities affected by the drought. The culling operation will involve 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 100 elands, and 300 zebras, specifically targeting parks where wildlife populations remain sustainable. The government emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration, aiming to prevent a potential ecological disaster and further hardship for local communities. Addressing…

Uganda and DRC ministers have reviewed their 2018 agreement on fishing in Lakes Edward and Albert. This Bilateral Fisheries Agreement, created during the 7th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) session, aimed to manage fisheries and aquaculture sustainably in these lakes and their surrounding basin. At the 8th JPC session held in Kinshasa, both countries stressed the importance of enhancing this agreement and ensuring consistent financial support. On Thursday, Uganda’s State Minister for Fisheries and her DRC counterpart, as part of the DRC council of ministers, approved the organization’s work plan and budget. The council acknowledged the progress made and the improved…

There was massive oversubscription for the Springboks versus All Blacks clash at DHL Stadium, but the Stormers have kept some tickets back for sale. CEO Johan le Roux explains how the ticketing system will reward loyal supporters. Years ago, El Bulli in Spain’s Costa Brava was famous for its innovative dining and faced an overwhelming 400,000 to 500,000 reservation requests annually, despite seating only 8,000 guests per season. Today, a similar demand is seen for the Springboks versus All Blacks matches in South Africa in 2024. Tickets for the Tests at Ellis Park on August 31 and DHL Stadium on…

On Thursday, Johannesburg and Cape Town witnessed demonstrations organized by a coalition of Palestinian solidarity groups, trade unions, and civil society organizations. The protests, coordinated by the South African BDS and Energy Embargo for Palestine Campaign, targeted Swiss mining company Glencore, which activists accuse of supporting Israel’s military actions through coal supplies. Protesters gathered outside Glencore’s Johannesburg headquarters and its subsidiary Astron’s offices in Cape Town. They are demanding an immediate halt to South Africa’s coal exports to Israel, urging compliance with international law and a stance against what they describe as genocide and apartheid. The protests come in response…

Nigeria is channeling resources into digital infrastructure and talent development to foster economic growth within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The nation’s digital economy has already reshaped how people engage in commerce, banking, and communication, creating new opportunities for economic advancement. The AfCFTA is focused on creating uniform digital trade regulations that promote a smooth, secure, and inclusive trading environment, both within Africa and internationally. Important aspects of this framework include market access, data governance, and building consumer confidence. A newly launched strategy in Nigeria is centered on expanding digital infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and aligning government efforts to…

The Rockefeller Foundation has praised Uganda for being the first nation to develop a health national adaptation plan aimed at managing the effects of climate change. William Asiko, the foundation’s Africa Vice President, praised Uganda’s rapid containment of the Ebola outbreak, which was managed in just 90 days, showcasing the country’s capacity to handle such crises effectively. The new five-year plan outlines Uganda’s strategies for preparing for and responding to emergencies, aligning with global guidelines set by the United Nations climate convention. Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, described the plan as a comprehensive guide for…

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has firmly defended the accuracy of Census 2022 data, rejecting demands from the academic and scientific communities for a recount. The agency faced scrutiny after deciding not to release critical data, such as statistics on mortality, fertility, employment, and household income, based on expert recommendations. This withheld data is essential for enriching the Census 2022 findings, which help researchers, policymakers, and government bodies better understand societal dynamics and allocate taxpayer resources effectively. The decision to withhold the data has raised concerns among demographers about the reliability of the census, conducted in February 2022 during the…

Lewis Hamilton, the only Black driver in Formula One, is determined to bring a race to Africa to showcase the continent’s beauty. He believes now is the perfect time and is collaborating with Rwanda and South Africa to make this happen. During the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, stressed the importance of including Africa in the Formula One calendar. He criticized the sport for overlooking the continent and suggested that a Grand Prix could boost tourism and highlight Africa’s appeal. Hamilton pointed out that there is already a track in Africa ready for use and proposed incorporating…

Following the shift in Niger’s government on July 26 of last year, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has encountered deepening rifts, prompting urgent efforts to resolve internal conflicts. This push to mend relations emerged after a noticeable drop-in support for the bloc, culminating in Niger’s military government collaborating with those of Mali and Burkina Faso to form a new coalition known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The tension escalated over the past year, particularly after ECOWAS’s decision to cut electricity supplies and close borders with Niger, which only reinforced Niger’s resolve to break away along…

Rwanda has imposed a ban on 43 religious organizations nationwide, effective August 28, following recent actions against unauthorized churches. The Ministry of Local Government has directed local officials to enforce this ban after discovering that these groups were not complying with regulatory standards. Many of the affected organizations are Pentecostal, including the Lutheran Church, which has been operating in Rwanda since the 1990s. This move follows the closure of more than 5,000 churches that were found to be non-compliant and posing safety risks to their congregations. Mandatory Training Authorities have reported that 59.3% of over 13,000 churches inspected by late…