Author: WAJ Team

Zimbabwean officials have recently announced the end of a cholera outbreak that lasted nearly 18 months. Despite this declaration, public health experts emphasize that the conditions leading to the waterborne illness remain and need urgent intervention. The outbreak, which started in February of the previous year, has been declared over after no new cases were reported in July, with the last case occurring in June. Throughout the outbreak, there were 34,549 suspected cases and over 700 fatalities. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, the health minister of Zimbabwe, commented, “The announcement indicates that our government’s efforts have successfully controlled the cholera outbreak. Nonetheless,…

Kabelo Gwamanda has resigned as Mayor of Johannesburg. In a Tuesday morning statement, Gwamanda confirmed he had tendered his resignation to the council speaker. Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead Johannesburg as its youngest mayor and to have brought financial and administrative stability after the collapse of the multiparty coalition government. Gwamanda also stated his commitment to continue serving Johannesburg residents in his role as a councillor.

Members of the Gambia-Turkey Business Council recently met with President Adama Barrow to discuss investment and trade opportunities between their countries. They sought the president’s support in creating a favorable environment for Turkish investors and in developing exportable products from The Gambia. President Barrow encouraged the Council to collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and other stakeholders to identify potential investors. He also advised focusing on manufacturing raw materials into finished products instead of just exporting the raw materials. The president outlined his administration’s plan to invest in electricity infrastructure to ensure universal access by the end of 2025. Fatou…

On August 12, Rwandan and Egyptian representatives finalized a Memorandum of Understanding to supply medical equipment and devices for the MY Rwanda-Egypt Heart Care Center.This cutting-edge facility, under construction in the Masaka area of Kicukiro District, Kigali, has a budget of $20 million and started being built in 2021. It is scheduled for completion in 2025 and is set to become the first heart care center of its kind in Central Africa. The agreement between the Rwandan Food and Drugs Authority and the Egyptian Medicines Authority represents a significant milestone in enhancing collaboration in the heart care sector, stated Rwanda’s…

The United Nations Secretary-General has called for the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC), advocating for Africa to have a permanent seat, citing the continent’s lack of representation. In a high-level debate on Monday, Antonio Guterres emphasized that the UNSC’s current structure has not kept up with the changes in the global environment. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for the world’s leading peace and security body to lack a permanent voice for a continent with over a billion people and that Africa’s views on peace and security should not be undervalued both within the continent and globally. The…

According to a recent report by the British technology research firm Cable, Rwanda now provides the most cost-effective broadband internet within the East African Community (EAC) bloc. The report reveals that Rwanda has surpassed Tanzania and Kenya in offering the lowest broadband rates among the eight member states. The firm’s data indicates that Rwandans are currently paying an average of $43.22 per month for broadband, a significant decrease from last year’s average of $60.96. This represents a 29.1% reduction in prices year-on-year. In contrast, Tanzania, which previously held the top spot for affordability, has experienced a minor increase in average…

Kamonyi District, Rwanda – Obed Nyambo, a visionary mushroom farmer from Kamonyi District, has successfully leveraged innovative Chinese technology to transform his agricultural pursuits and create employment opportunities for his community. After completing his university studies in 2017, Nyambo aspired to become self-employed, initially venturing into raising chicks, rabbits, and pigs. In 2018, Nyambo discovered Juncao technology, a Chinese innovation that uses chopped grass as a substrate for cultivating edible and medicinal mushrooms. This breakthrough, developed in the 1980s by the National Engineering Research Centre at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in China, enables smallholder farmers to grow mushrooms without…

Elephant poaching in northern Botswana has spiked significantly, yet there is a lack of official response. Recent aerial surveys discovered 19 additional poached carcasses, increasing the total to 105. Mary Rice, a prominent conservationist, warns that “the rising number of elephants poaching cases in Botswana is a serious problem that should alarm the entire conservation community.” A new epicenter for trophy hunting and poaching Poaching activities are primarily concentrated to the west of Chobe National Park and just south of the Namibian Zambezi Region. Poachers from Zambia are crossing the border to hunt elephants, and well-organized, heavily armed gangs are…

On August 10, 2024, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced the release of approximately 527 prisoners from Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa. The release is part of an effort to alleviate severe overcrowding issues.Mutamba also distributed 2,000 of the 7,000 ordered mattresses to enhance the conditions for the remaining detainees. “The rule of law means everyone must be treated fairly. Tonight, you will return to your homes. We will continue to release more wrongfully held prisoners next Saturday,” Mutamba stated.He reiterated his pledge to improve detention conditions as part of the ongoing reform efforts…

Illegal crossings between Zambia and Zimbabwe have surged due to the declining water levels in the Zambezi River, which separates the two nations. The reduced water is attributed to the ongoing drought caused by the El Niño weather pattern, resulting in lower rainfall. Border authorities note that when the river is at flood stage, it acts as a natural barrier, deterring illegal crossings and smuggling activities. Acting Immigration Regional Manager Morgan Moyo informed a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce delegation that the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post is compromised, with travelers bypassing immigration controls through various unauthorized crossing points…

Unknown attackers reportedly used an explosive device, likely dynamite, to damage the Action People’s Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The attack, which occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday at the APP office on the GRA axis, resulted in shattered windows, broken doors, and significant destruction of party property. This incident comes amid speculation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara might be preparing to join the APP with his supporters. This follows allegations that his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The…

The Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Sunday that it had commenced discussions with Zambia after Zambia closed their shared border, disrupting a vital export route for the Congo, the world’s second-largest copper producer. Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga ordered the temporary closure on Saturday following a Congolese ban on imported soft drinks and beer, which led to protests by Congolese transporters in Kasumbalesa, a town on the Zambian border. According to a statement from the Congolese trade ministry, “Talks between the Congolese and Zambian governments began on Sunday via videoconference to expedite the reopening of the borders.” It also…

The death toll from two attacks in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to at least 18, with 14 people still missing. The assaults, which occurred on Saturday in Beni territory within North Kivu province, were attributed to ADF rebels affiliated with the Islamic State. A local civil society leader confirmed that the number of deaths was revised from 10 to 18. He also mentioned that 14 people are missing, and noted that four houses and two motorcycles were set on fire. Another local leader, Charles Endukado, indicated that the death toll from the attacks exceeds 18. He added…

Egypt is preparing to bid for the 2036 and 2040 Summer Olympics, with its developing infrastructure and sports facilities seen as essential for an African bid, according to the head of the African National Olympic Committees Association (ANOCA) on Sunday. Africa has not yet hosted the Olympic Games, and Cairo’s previous attempt to secure the 2008 Olympics was not successful. Egypt, the largest Arab country by population, has invested significantly in upgrading its sports infrastructure. The Egypt International Olympic City, under construction east of Cairo since 2015, will include a 93,900-seat stadium and 21 other sports facilities. Mustapha Berraf, the…

After recent heavy rains, a large mass of garbage from Kampala’s sole landfill collapsed, burying and destroying nearby homes. The number of fatalities from a landslide at a significant garbage dump in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, has climbed to 21, according to police on Sunday, as rescue crews continued their search for survivors. Recent heavy rains caused a massive heap of waste at the city’s only landfill to collapse late Friday, crushing and burying nearby homes as residents slept. President Yoweri Museveni stated that he had directed the prime minister to oversee the evacuation of all those residing close to the…

President Paul Kagame secured another five-year term with 99.18 percent of the vote in last month’s elections, pledging to strengthen national unity despite ongoing opposition criticism. Rwandan President Paul Kagame took the oath for a fourth term following a decisive victory with over 99 percent of the vote in last month’s election. The inauguration ceremony was held at a crowded 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, attended by numerous African leaders and dignitaries, with spectators arriving early to witness the event. Kagame took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, committing to “maintain peace, safeguard national sovereignty, and enhance national…