Author: WAJ Editor

France has announced the expulsion of 12 Algerian diplomatic staff and recalled its ambassador from Algiers, in a sharp escalation of tensions between the two countries. The decision, confirmed on Tuesday by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, comes just a day after Algeria ordered 12 French officials to leave its territory within 48 hours. The diplomatic fallout follows the indictment in Paris of three individuals, including a staff member from an Algerian consulate, on charges related to terrorism. “In response to their unjustified and incomprehensible decision, we are expelling 12 Algerian agents and recalling our ambassador for consultations,” Barrot posted…

Morocco and France have pledged to deepen their strategic partnership, reaffirming their commitment to an “enhanced exceptional partnership” amid growing diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria. During a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita agreed to strengthen, safeguard, and promote bilateral cooperation, according to a statement from the French Foreign Ministry. The talks followed up on a declaration signed by French President Emmanuel Macron and King Mohammed VI during Macron’s visit to Morocco last October, which aimed to elevate the already close ties between the two countries. Barrot and Bourita…

A major Moroccan port workers’ union has called for a boycott of a Danish cargo vessel suspected of transporting US military equipment to Israel, in what is being described as the strongest labor-led opposition to Israel’s war on Gaza since the conflict began. The Union of Port Workers, part of the influential Moroccan Labour Union (UMT), issued a statement on Monday urging dockworkers at Casablanca Port to refuse to handle the Maersk Nexoe, a vessel expected to arrive on 18 April. The union warned that aiding the ship’s transit would make workers “direct accomplices in the genocidal war against the…

The United Kingdom, in collaboration with the African Union, European Union, France, and Germany, hosted a high-level international conference in London on Tuesday to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, marking two years since the outbreak of the conflict. Foreign ministers, international partners, and humanitarian leaders gathered for the one-day event to discuss strategies for ending the war and overcoming the obstacles hindering humanitarian aid delivery to millions of people in need across Sudan. The Sudanese government, however, criticized the UK’s decision to organize the conference without extending an invitation to Sudanese authorities. The Foreign Ministry described the exclusion…

Nigeria has taken a major step toward advancing regional economic integration by officially gazetting and submitting the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The move, which precedes the 16th AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing intra-African trade. Signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the tariff schedule establishes zero duties on 90 percent of tariff lines for trade in goods, strengthening Nigeria’s position in African markets. The development is expected to boost competitiveness, expand trade opportunities, and facilitate smoother…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate halt to the external flow of weapons into Sudan, warning that continued foreign interference is fuelling the country’s devastating civil war and risking its fragmentation. Marking the second anniversary of the outbreak of conflict between rival military factions, Guterres stressed that the world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Sudanese people. “I am deeply concerned that weapons and fighters continue to flow into Sudan, allowing the conflict to persist and spread across the country,” he said. “The external support and flow of weapons must end.…

Sudan’s health system is nearing total collapse after two years of conflict, with millions of lives at risk as medical services dwindle, disease outbreaks rise, and humanitarian access remains severely limited. With the rainy season approaching, the country is grappling with a deadly mix of malnutrition, multiple disease outbreaks, and a crumbling healthcare infrastructure. Over 30 million people now require humanitarian aid, including more than 20 million in critical need of health services. Yet ongoing insecurity, repeated attacks on medical facilities, and severe shortages of essential medicines have made delivering care nearly impossible. “Hospitals are shutting down or barely functioning.…

A court in Mauritius has granted bail to former finance minister Renganaden Padayachy, who faces fraud charges linked to alleged embezzlement at a state-owned company, according to his lawyer and the financial crimes commission. Padayachy, along with former central bank governor Harvesh Seegolam, was arrested last week over claims of misappropriating 300 million Mauritius rupees (approximately $6.7 million) from the Mauritius Investment Corporation. The company was established to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Padayachy and Seegolam have denied the charges. Seegolam was released on bail shortly after his arrest, while Padayachy secured his release on Monday after the…

Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya is preparing for another historic feat as he seeks to reclaim the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, recently set at 61 hours by two Norwegian players. Onakoya, who first captured global attention last year with an impressive 58-hour chess session in New York City’s Times Square, announced his new attempt via Instagram. He revealed that on 17 April 2025, he and fellow chess enthusiast @pushingpawnsnyc will aim to set a new record by playing non-stop for 70 hours. This new endeavor goes beyond personal ambition. Onakoya plans to share the challenge with…

Egypt is well-positioned to sustain its trade ties with the United States despite recent tariff changes, according to Carla Slim, senior economist for the Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered Bank. Speaking during a World Bank conference in Cairo, Slim said the new US tariffs are unlikely to seriously impact Egypt, given the existing trade surplus in Washington’s favor. Slim emphasized Egypt’s strategic advantage, particularly its control over the Suez Canal, which remains a key global trade route. She noted that canal traffic could increase even amid Red Sea tensions, driven by a boost in South-South trade between emerging…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Monday strongly refuted claims by the M23 rebel group and its allies that its mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) was involved in joint military operations. In a statement, SADC voiced “deep concern” over the accusations, labeling them as “inaccurate and misleading.” The allegations surfaced over the weekend when the M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC) asserted that SAMIDRC forces participated in coordinated attacks in the eastern city of Goma, alongside the Congolese army (FARDC), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and pro-government Wazalendo militia. “SAMIDRC has…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States, in a bid to restore deteriorating diplomatic ties between the two nations. The move comes after a marked decline in relations following U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year. Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador and slashed financial assistance, citing disagreements over South Africa’s stance on land reform and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. President Trump has publicly accused South Africa—without presenting evidence—of land seizures and discrimination against “certain classes of…

Nelson Mandela was a South African freedom fighter, lawyer, and statesman who became a global symbol of resistance against oppression. He dedicated his life to dismantling the apartheid system that enforced racial segregation and inequality in South Africa. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He belonged to the Thembu royal family. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, was a local chief and counselor to the Thembu king. After his father’s death, Mandela was placed under the guardianship of the acting regent, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who ensured…

More than 40 people were killed during a midnight attack on the Zike community in Bassa, Plateau State, as violence by armed groups continues to escalate in north-central Nigeria. The attack, which erupted around midnight on Monday and lasted nearly two hours, resulted in significant casualties and mass displacement, according to local sources. Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, national publicity secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, reported that about 1,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes. He added that many of the injured are currently receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital and nearby clinics. Plateau State Police Command spokesperson…

As of April 2025, Sudan’s civil war, has escalated into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in widespread violence, massive displacement, and acute food insecurity. The international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance to address the dire needs of the Sudanese population.

Imam Abdullah Haroun (1924–1969) was a respected South African Muslim cleric, teacher and anti-apartheid activist who dedicated his life to combating racial injustice and promoting unity among oppressed communities. His death in police custody made him a martyr in the struggle against apartheid, and his legacy continues to inspire movements for justice in South Africa and beyond. Early Life and Education Imam Abdullah Haroun, a symbol of resistance against racism and injustice for South African Muslims, was born in Cape Town on 8 February 1924. Harun, who lost his mother at a young age, was raised under the care of…