Author: WAJ Editor

A group of 25 families affected by political crimes during apartheid have filed a lawsuit against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, alleging the government has failed to effectively investigate these historical injustices and provide justice for the victims. The families are seeking approximately 167 million rand (about $9 million) in damages, according to documents submitted to the High Court in Pretoria on Monday and later made public by the Foundation for Human Rights, which is supporting the case. In addition to the compensation, the plaintiffs are requesting a court order requiring President Ramaphosa to establish a commission of inquiry to…

Following violent demonstrations triggered by the deaths of South Sudanese nationals in neighboring Sudan, the South Sudanese government has ordered a three-month ban on social media access. The National Communication Authority cited concerns about the spread of graphic and disturbing content related to the violence on social media platforms. They argue that this content poses a threat to public safety and mental health. The government aims to create a “safe digital environment” and believes this temporary measure is necessary to prevent further unrest and misinformation. This decision comes after protests and unrest erupted in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, with residents…

Rwanda, a small landlocked country in East Africa, is often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills” due to its stunning landscape of rolling hills and lush green valleys. Despite its small size, Rwanda is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Rwanda is a home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, including mountain gorillas, which can be found in the Volcanoes National Park. The country is also known for its stunning national parks, such as Akagera National Park, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and zebras. In terms of…

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Egypt on Thursday for an official visit. He is set to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to discuss enhancing security cooperation and regional peace. The visit, at the invitation of President Sisi, aims to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism and accelerate collaboration in security and peace initiatives within the region. Both nations also prioritize boosting economic and development ties. This visit follows a defense pact signed between the two countries last August to strengthen their security cooperation. Trade between Egypt and Somalia has also seen significant growth, reaching $59 million in…

Renowned Malian singer Rokia Traore, who was arrested in Rome in 2024 over an international child custody dispute and later extradited to Belgium, is set to be released from a Belgian prison on Wednesday, according to the local news agency Belga, citing her lawyers. Efforts to reach Traore’s representatives or confirm her release with authorities were unsuccessful. Traore, 50, is celebrated as one of Africa’s most prominent vocalists and served as a goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, from 2016 to 2018. Custody Dispute and Legal Troubles The legal issues stem from a protracted custody battle with her…

South Sudanese police reported on Monday that 16 Sudanese nationals were killed during last week’s unrest sparked by allegations of killings in Sudan’s El Gezira region. Riots broke out on Thursday and Friday in the capital Juba and other parts of South Sudan as protesters voiced anger over what they believed was the involvement of Sudan’s military and allied groups in attacks on South Sudanese citizens in El Gezira. The Sudanese army has denied responsibility, condemning “individual violations” in El Gezira, where human rights groups have accused the military and its allies of ethnically targeted violence against civilians suspected of…

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah announced on Tuesday that a Belgian court has lifted the seizure of €15 billion in assets belonging to the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) and the Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO) held at Euroclear Bank. Dbeibah highlighted the extensive efforts required to resolve the complex legal case, which involved intensive meetings and a strategic approach. He emphasized that the ruling is not just a legal victory but a significant step toward strengthening Libya’s economy, supporting its national currency, and safeguarding the country’s financial assets. The Prime Minister affirmed his government’s commitment to defending Libya’s resources…

The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP) has announced progress in reviving its rice farming project in Mozambique following productive talks with Mozambican authorities. In a statement, LAIP revealed that an agreement was reached with the Mozambican Investment and Export Promotion Agency to allocate an alternative plot of land in Gaza Province, marking a critical step toward resuming operations. A team of specialized engineers conducted an inspection of the project’s equipment, finding it to be 80% operational. LAIP also confirmed that logistical and organizational plans have been established with Mozambican authorities to facilitate the project’s restart. The Mozambican Ministry of Foreign…

Flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu were suspended on Wednesday, leaving nearly 200 passengers stranded after Somali airlines halted operations due to a tax dispute with the Somali government. The Somali Airlines Operators Association, representing around 20 carriers, announced the suspension, citing unresolved disagreements with the Ministry of Transport and the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) over recently increased taxes. Passengers were caught off guard by the cancellations, with some only discovering the issue upon arriving at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Impact on Travel and Operations The airlines argue that the new taxes have created financial and operational challenges, leading…

The governments of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali are finalizing plans to deploy a joint military force of 5,000 soldiers to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime in the Sahel region, according to Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Mody. Speaking on state television, Mody highlighted the significance of collaboration in addressing security threats, emphasizing that the force is “practically ready” for deployment. The unified force will include air, land, and intelligence components to strengthen its operational capacity. The three nations established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023 after withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States…

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has called for international action to address terrorism’s root causes and genuine perpetrators during a UN Security Council debate. He criticized mislabeling groups like M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo as terrorists, which he argued diverts attention from real threats. Nduhungirehe proposed five strategies to strengthen African-led counterterrorism: enhancing African Union capacities, integrating counterterrorism with development, bolstering African Peace and Security Architecture, fostering regional cooperation, and prioritizing prevention. He highlighted Rwanda’s successful efforts in Mozambique and contributions to the G5 Sahel Joint Force as examples of effective African solutions. Emphasizing the need for…

Africa’s tourism sector has rebounded strongly, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest United Nations data. In 2024, the continent recorded a 7% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2019, the year before COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted global travel. Compared to 2023, Africa welcomed 12% more visitors, with North Africa leading the growth at 22% above 2019 levels, as revealed by the UN World Tourism Barometer. The recovery mirrors a broader global trend, with international tourism reaching 99% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024, equating to 1.4 billion tourists worldwide. Africa’s diverse attractions, from wildlife parks and cultural heritage to sandy beaches,…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorized a tariff hike of up to 50% for mobile phone services, falling short of the 100% increase requested by telecom operators over the past six years. Mobile phone tariffs in Nigeria have remained stagnant for over a decade. Analysts attribute the need for the increase to rising operational costs driven by naira depreciation and inflation. The NCC stated that the approved increment seeks to strike a balance between fostering industry growth and safeguarding consumer interests. The regulator emphasized that higher tariffs would enable telecom operators to invest in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately enhancing…

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) military has called for calm as it confronts recent advances by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in the eastern province of North Kivu. In a statement on Tuesday, General Sylvain Ekenge, the army spokesperson, assured citizens that ongoing battles against the M23 rebels are being fought across key areas, including Lubero territory, the Sake highlands, and Nyiragongo territory. “All necessary measures are being taken to repel the aggressors and restore peace in the eastern part of our country,” the statement read. The security situation in eastern DRC has sharply deteriorated, with rising…

A new dialysis center has been established in Murang’a County, Kenya, bringing much-needed relief to patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Previously, many of these patients had to travel long distances to access treatment, often at significant personal and financial cost. The facility, located at Kigumo Level 4 Hospital, is a joint initiative between Bena Care, a Nairobi-based social enterprise, and the Murang’a County government. The center aims to improve access to dialysis services for rural communities, reducing the burden on patients and their families. Eighty-two-year-old Njoroge Ng’ang’a, a dialysis patient from Kigumo, shared his struggles with traveling long distances…

Officials from Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia convened in the Algerian capital to address strategies for securing their shared borders and tackling issues such as crime and illegal migration. According to the Libyan Government of National Unity’s Ministry of Interior, the meeting focused on enhancing joint security cooperation among the three nations. Discussions centered on the challenges posed by illegal migration and the development of collaborative mechanisms to address the issue effectively. Representing Libya at the meeting was the head of the Border Guard Service under the Ministry of Interior, highlighting the country’s commitment to strengthening regional coordination in border security.