Author: WAJ Editor

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and volunteers from the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are working with local authorities to recover bodies following intense clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in eastern Goma. In a statement on Tuesday, the ICRC confirmed it had provided body bags, along with technical and logistical support, to ensure the deceased are treated with dignity and properly managed. Humanitarian Imperative “Managing dead bodies properly and with dignity, as difficult as that may be, is a humanitarian imperative. It allows for easier identification of the…

South Africa has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to cut aid, asserting that developed nations should not use financial assistance to pressure or intimidate developing countries. Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe criticized Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that no country should be bullied based on its economic status. “A country’s development stage should not be a reason for being bullied. Every nation must be allowed to grow without coercion,” Mantashe told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. His response followed Trump’s Sunday statement on Truth Social, where he threatened to halt funding to South Africa over allegations of land confiscation…

Uganda has denied reports claiming it recently deployed over 1,000 additional soldiers to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Congolese forces are battling M23 rebels. The alleged deployment, reported by diplomatic and UN sources, has fueled concerns over a potential escalation of the regional conflict. Ugandan troops have been operating in eastern DRC since 2021 under “Operation Shujaa,” an initiative aimed at combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group with Ugandan origins. However, recent reports suggested that between 1,000 and 2,000 additional Ugandan soldiers were sent north of Goma, increasing Uganda’s troop presence to an estimated 4,000-5,000.…

The remains of 14 South African soldiers killed in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are set to arrive home on Wednesday, the country’s defence force confirmed. Their return comes amid growing calls for the withdrawal of South African troops from the region. The soldiers were part of a mission deployed by the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) to support the DRC government as it battles the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has gained significant territory in recent weeks. Some of the deceased were also serving under a separate United Nations peacekeeping force. South Africa’s Role…

A shelling attack by Sudanese paramilitary forces killed five people near Al-Nao Hospital in Omdurman on Tuesday, a medical source reported. The attack occurred outside one of the last functioning medical facilities in the city, which has been caught in the ongoing war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. According to the source, who spoke anonymously for safety reasons, volunteers at the hospital were among those killed when shells landed in a garden adjacent to the facility. The hospital, supported by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), is located in an area…

A diplomatic dispute has erupted between Mali and Algeria, with Bamako accusing Algiers of supporting Malian separatist groups while Algeria criticizes Mali’s handling of peace agreements and counterterrorism operations. The tension escalated after Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf opposed Mali’s decision to classify certain northern separatist groups as terrorist organizations. He also condemned Mali’s military-heavy approach to counterterrorism, arguing that previous similar efforts in the Sahel had failed. Algeria has long backed opposition movements involved in the 2015 Algiers Accords, a peace deal aimed at integrating northern factions into Mali’s political system. However, Mali’s government officially ended the agreement in…

Mauritius has renegotiated its agreement with the United Kingdom regarding control of the Chagos Islands but is awaiting the stance of U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced on Tuesday. The initial deal, reached in October 2024, outlined Britain’s transfer of sovereignty over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius while maintaining a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. However, after taking office in November, Ramgoolam reopened discussions, reportedly seeking increased financial compensation and adjustments to the base’s lease terms. “We have reached an agreement ready to be signed with Great Britain concerning Chagos,” Ramgoolam informed parliament, emphasizing that…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to address concerns over misinformation regarding the country’s land policies. Musk, who was born in South Africa, recently claimed on his social media platform, X, that the country’s land ownership laws were “openly racist” and discriminated against white citizens. His remarks followed comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused South Africa of seizing land and mistreating certain groups. Trump further announced he would suspend U.S. aid to the nation pending an investigation into its policies. In response, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law,…

As of 2025, Africa continues to intensify its efforts against malaria through a multifaceted approach that includes vaccination, vector control, and innovative research. Recent data indicates that malaria continues to exert a heavy toll across the continent. Between 2019 and 2022, the estimated number of malaria cases in the African Region increased from 218 million to 233 million. Notably, substantial case increases were observed in countries such as Nigeria (5.3 million), Ethiopia (2.4 million), Madagascar (1.5 million), Uganda (1.3 million), and Mozambique (1 million). Vaccination Initiatives A significant milestone in malaria prevention is the allocation of 18 million doses of…

The Nigerian government’s decision to raise telecommunications tariffs by 50% has ignited a heated debate, with labor unions opposing the increase and warning of potential economic hardship for millions of citizens. The tariff adjustment, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January, was justified as necessary due to rising operational costs, inflation, and the devaluation of the naira. Telecom companies, including major operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa, have cited escalating fuel and equipment costs as key reasons for seeking higher charges. Diesel prices, which have skyrocketed from N200 ($0.13) to over N1,200 ($0.80) per liter, have significantly…

The foreign ministers of Egypt and Türkiye are set to meet in Cairo to discuss preparations for the upcoming “Strategic Cooperation Council” meeting, which will be chaired by Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the need for swift action on early recovery projects in Gaza, particularly in providing clean water and medical care. He also announced plans for an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, highlighting Türkiye’s role in supporting these efforts.

As of early 2025, Morocco’s economy is navigating a path toward recovery, balancing challenges such as prolonged droughts and global economic uncertainties with strategic investments and policy reforms. Various institutions have provided growth forecasts for Morocco’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025: Sectoral Contributions International Partnerships and Investments Morocco continues to strengthen its international partnerships, attracting foreign investments that are pivotal for economic growth: Challenges and Policy Responses Despite positive projections, Morocco faces challenges such as high unemployment rates, especially among youth (36.7%) and graduates (19.6%). The government has pledged to invest $1.4 billion in 2025 to create jobs, focusing…

Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya has been honored with a street named after him in Lagos, Nigeria, in recognition of his efforts to reshape Africa’s global image. Known for his engaging travel videos and advocacy for African unity, Maya has gained a large following, with over 1.65 million subscribers. The unveiling ceremony, held on January 27, was attended by fellow creators and fans. Maya, originally an aeronautical engineer, transitioned to content creation and has since won multiple awards, becoming a prominent African digital influencer.

A gold mine in western Kenya partially collapsed late Monday, leaving at least a dozen miners trapped underground. Authorities have confirmed that a rescue operation is ongoing, with emergency teams working to reach those still inside. Police reports indicate that around 20 miners were at the site when the collapse occurred, with eight successfully rescued so far. The incident highlights the dangers of unregulated mining in Kenya, where poor safety conditions and illegal mining operations are common. Authorities have urged bystanders to keep away from the site to ensure the safety of the rescue teams. Investigations into the cause of…

AfriForum is at the center of controversy in South Africa after former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated the group’s claims regarding land expropriation, alleging that the government is confiscating land from white citizens. Trump’s comments have sparked heated online debates, with some South Africans demanding that AfriForum be formally classified as a white supremacist organization. During a media briefing, Trump stated that his administration had launched an investigation into South Africa’s land policies, claiming that certain groups were being unfairly targeted. He further suggested that all future U.S. funding to the country could be suspended until the matter was resolved.…

The largest mining investment summit in Africa has commenced in Cape Town, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the future of the industry and investment prospects across the continent. The four-day event, themed “Future-proofing African Mining, Today!”, has drawn participation from government ministers, industry experts, and global investors. Speaking at the opening, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, who represented President Cyril Ramaphosa, urged African nations to harness their vast mineral wealth to drive economic growth amid increasing global demand for critical minerals. Despite possessing some of the world’s largest mineral reserves, Africa remains economically underdeveloped,…