Author: WAJ Team

The Zimbabwean government is ramping up food aid distribution to address the needs of those affected by food insecurity due to the El Niño-driven drought, a Cabinet minister announced on Tuesday. Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, shared during a post-Cabinet briefing that the Grain Movement Command Center has been actively ensuring aid reaches those in need. From May to July, the government managed to provide food aid to 89.2 percent of the targeted population and is now starting a new three-month phase to help even more individuals. Muswere noted, “The Cabinet reports that the second phase…

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabe Abroad, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, met with Lu Shan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China. The discussion focused on preparations for the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024, scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024. Ambassador Lu Shan assured that preparations are progressing well and emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure a comfortable stay for the Burkinabe delegation and other African representatives. The summit, themed “Partnering to Promote Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,”…

A tragic accident on the Lukeni River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed the lives of at least 20 people, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Officials confirmed that 46 individuals were rescued following the incident, but the search continues for those missing. The motorized wooden boat, which was heavily overloaded with goods and around 300 passengers, sank after hitting an underwater obstacle while traveling from Saturday night into Sunday. Among the recovered bodies was a 9-month-old baby. Nighttime river navigation is banned in Congo due to its dangers. Local authorities regularly emphasize the risks of sailing after…

The Animal Law Project (ALP) has launched a new manifesto titled “A Manifesto for Transforming Animal Protection in South Africa: A Constitutional Imperative.” This document represents a significant development in the campaign for reforming animal protection laws in the country. Developed with contributions from experts, civil society, veterinarians, and government representatives, the manifesto seeks to address major shortcomings in South Africa’s animal protection legislation. The existing legal framework, governed by the Animals Protection Act of 1962, is deemed outdated and inconsistent with contemporary constitutional values. Despite the Constitutional Court’s 2016 recognition of animal welfare as a constitutional issue, progress has…

According to a new report from Amnesty International, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi continues to lead with a ‘wave of repression.’ The report indicates that this method has undermined expectations for a meaningful change in the government’s treatment of civil society. Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye continues to govern with a firm grip, maintaining a “wave of repression” despite early hopes for change when he assumed office four years ago, according to a report by Amnesty International released on Wednesday. The report highlights ongoing challenges for human rights defenders, journalists, and opposition members, who continue to face intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests,…

Africa’s gaming industry is expected to surpass $1 billion in revenue this year. The sector’s rapid growth, spurred by a young population, improved internet access, and increased smartphone use, has drawn the attention of major tech firms. The video game market in Africa has seen significant progress, growing from $862 million in 2022 to a projected $1 billion in 2024, an 8.7% increase. A veteran online gamer from the 1990s recalls a time when African players were often disregarded. He struggled to register his home country of Ghana in many games, facing challenges as early as the first decade of…

Residents of Riverlands, near Malmesbury in the Western Cape, are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods that began nearly two weeks ago when three dams in Dassenberg failed, followed by a fourth dam bursting on Saturday. The flooding has left the community without clean water, electricity, or passable roads, and some residents have lost their homes entirely. One resident recounted the terrifying experience on 8 August 2024: “The water was like thunder. My sister and her five-year-old son were swept away by the current and carried down the road until they managed to grab onto the train tracks. It…

Morocco’s king has granted pardons to nearly 5,000 individuals who were either convicted or sought for illegal cannabis cultivation, as announced by the Ministry of Justice Morocco, a leading producer of cannabis, legalized the cultivation, export, and use of the plant for medicinal and industrial purposes in 2021, while recreational use remains prohibited. This royal pardon is intended to encourage farmers to participate in the legal cannabis industry, improving their earnings and living conditions, according to Mohammed El Guerrouj, the head of ANRAC, Morocco’s cannabis regulatory body. In 2023, Morocco’s first legal cannabis harvest produced 294 metric tonnes, with 225…

Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has called for the release of pro-democracy activists currently in prison, suggesting that with the recent SADC summit concluded, “nothing remains to disturb.” He admitted that the ruling party has significant influence over the judicial system. These activists were detained before the summit in anticipation of protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Amnesty International has reported approximately 160 arrests since June. Mutsvangwa argued that freeing the activists now would prevent further waste of state resources, praising the security forces for effectively managing the situation. He noted that the activists had failed to disrupt public order and…

On Tuesday, a World Health Organization (WHO) representative assured that mpox, regardless of its strain, poses less of a threat compared to COVID-19, as current measures are effective in controlling its spread. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, called for a unified international effort to manage or eradicate mpox, warning that failure to act could lead to a new cycle of “panic and neglect.” He emphasized that the response to this outbreak will be a critical test for both Europe and the world.Mpox, a viral infection known for its pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can…

The #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest organizers are preparing for a major demonstration set to take place in October across Nigeria. The previous protests in August were marked by significant unrest, including violent clashes, destruction of public property, and tragic loss of life, which led to multiple arrests in various states. Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, announced the upcoming protest in an interview with Punch on Monday. Adenola emphasized that the group’s core demands will remain the same unless new pressing issues arise that necessitate changes. The October protest, named ‘Fearless in October Protest,’ is…

Kigali is set to become the hub of global Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation as it hosts Africa’s inaugural AI summit. Scheduled for October 8 to 9 at the Kigali Convention Centre, this groundbreaking event will bring together 1,000 international leaders from various sectors. Organized by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda (C4IR Rwanda) in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the summit aims to position Africa at the forefront of AI advancements. Attendees will include heads of state, ministers, industry leaders, startups, investors, and academic experts, all gathered to explore AI’s potential to shape the continent’s future.…

In Uganda’s mountainous eastern region, the vibrant Imbalu ceremony, a traditional mass circumcision of the Bamasaaba people, began with energetic dances and drumming. Yet, beneath the festive surface, tensions simmer regarding the future of this sacred rite. Locals have raised concerns with their king, the Umukuuka, about whether Imbalu should evolve into a tourist attraction or remain a private, deeply spiritual event. The biannual ritual, which takes place near Uganda’s border with Kenya, has become a focal point of this debate. Ahead of the August 3rd inauguration in Mbale, the king supported a fusion of tradition and tourism. With substantial…

During the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit held in Zimbabwe on August 17, Angola was acknowledged for its key role in the Luanda Process, which aims to resolve the conflict in eastern DR Congo peacefully and sustainably. The 15-member SADC has deployed military forces from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi to support the Congolese army, which includes the controversial FDLR group, in its battle with the M23 rebels. Despite these efforts, the South Africa-led SADC Mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC) has faced difficulties in achieving peace and stability in a region where up to 200 armed groups are…

The Malawian government has been awarded an $11.2 million insurance payout to address the severe drought linked to El Niño that forced the country to declare a state of disaster earlier this year. This payout, announced by the African Development Bank, is the result of a drought insurance policy managed through the bank in partnership with the African Risk Capacity Group, an African Union agency. The funds are intended to provide critical support for food aid to approximately 235,000 households in the most affected areas and deliver direct relief to over 100,000 households. President Lazarus Chakwera described the payout as…

In Makokou, a joint team from the Water and Forests administration, the Ogooué-Ivindo Judicial Police, and the NGO Conservation Justice apprehended E.R, M.F, and S.B.B on August 7, 2024. The suspects, including a Master Corporal at the Prison Guard and contract agents from the provincial directorate of Public Works, were found with six ivory points cut into twelve pieces, intended for sale. The ivory, concealed in boxes, weighed 25.7 kg. At the time of their arrest, B.S.B confessed to purchasing two of the ivory points for illegal sale. Meanwhile, K.R and M.F claimed to have discovered two ivory points each…