Author: WAJ Editor

Members of Uganda’s Parliament have urged the National Planning Authority (NPA) to re-evaluate priorities in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP) IV to address concerns over equity and regional development. During a meeting on January 7, chaired by Budget Committee Chairperson Hon. Patrick Isiagi, MPs highlighted the need to focus on underserved regions such as Karamoja, Bukedi, and Busoga. West Budama North MP Hon. Maximus Ochai called for prioritizing the most critical areas and strengthening NPA’s planning capacity. Pian County MP Hon. Remigio Achia criticized regional disparities in development planning, citing the lack of progress at Mt. Moroto University since…

Since June 2024, at least 80 people have gone missing in Kenya, sparking widespread concern among relatives and human rights groups, who suspect police involvement. The Kenyan National Commission for Human Rights recently reported 13 kidnappings over the Christmas period, including the disappearance of prominent satirical cartoonist Gideon Kibet, known as Kibet Bull. Kibet Bull, renowned for his caricatures of President William Ruto, vanished on Christmas Day but was released on January 6, along with five other social media activists. While Kibet Bull has refrained from disclosing details of his ordeal, he confirmed the reality of the abductions, urging the…

Following the U.S. sanctions on Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for alleged genocide, Sudanese observers and activists have highlighted what they see as a double standard in Washington’s approach, pointing to U.S. complicity in the Gaza crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the sanctions on Tuesday, accusing the RSF and allied militias of targeting civilians, committing ethnic killings, and preventing access to humanitarian aid. The 18-month conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. However, Sudanese commentators and activists have called out the U.S. for…

Sudan has welcomed the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, announced on Wednesday. A statement from Sudan’s Foreign Ministry accused Daglo of orchestrating “systematic atrocities” through the RSF against Sudanese citizens. The ministry urged nations globally to follow the U.S. example by sanctioning the paramilitary organization, its leadership, and its supporters. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that members of the RSF and their allied militias have committed acts of genocide in Sudan. “We are today sanctioning RSF leader…

The Libyan Parliament has passed a national reconciliation law with a majority vote during a session held Tuesday in Benghazi, marking a significant step toward unifying the divided nation. Parliamentary Speaker Abdullah Blehig announced the approval following detailed discussions and deliberations on the bill’s provisions. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to heal divisions that have plagued Libya since the 2011 fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. In September 2021, the Presidency Council launched a national reconciliation initiative to foster unity and stability in the North African nation. In August 2024, Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh was tasked with drafting…

Ugandan military court has resumed the trial of veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, accused of weapons possession and other charges. The 68-year-old retired army colonel, abducted last year from Kenya, appeared alongside co-accused Obeid Lutale, with Kenyan opposition lawyer Martha Karua leading his defense under a temporary Ugandan license. Tensions arose as military personnel reportedly blocked Besigye’s lawyers from court entry, and lawyer Eron Kiiza was detained for alleged misconduct, sentenced to nine months without formal charges. Defense teams criticized the trial as unjust, citing increasing government crackdowns on opposition figures. Besigye, once President Yoweri Museveni’s personal physician, has faced…

Five Angolan government critics—Neth Nahara, Adolfo Campos, Gildo das Ruas, Tanaice Neutro, and Pensador—have been released after more than a year of detention. The move follows a presidential pardon announced by President João Lourenço on December 25, 2024. Neth Nahara, a social media influencer arrested in August 2023 for criticizing the president on TikTok, was released on January 1, 2025. The other four activists, detained in September 2023 ahead of a planned protest, were freed on January 6, 2025. Amnesty International, which campaigned for their release, welcomed the news but criticized the initial arrests as violations of their rights to…

Recent clashes between the M23/AFC armed group and the Congolese army, supported by allied forces, in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have left nearly 160 people injured. The violence has also displaced over 102,000 people in less than a week, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Masisi, North Kivu, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Ministry of Health treated 75 wounded individuals at the Masisi General Reference Hospital and Nyabiondo Reference Health Centre. These facilities also sheltered hundreds of civilians seeking protection. The M23/AFC…

The United States has declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated militias are committing genocide amidst the country’s ongoing civil war. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the findings on Tuesday, stating that the RSF has carried out systematic attacks against civilians based on ethnic targeting. “The RSF and allied militias have committed atrocities, including the systematic killing of men, boys, and even infants, along with the brutal sexual violence against women and girls from specific ethnic groups,” Blinken said. The atrocities also include targeting fleeing civilians and obstructing access to essential humanitarian supplies. Based on this information,…

The Lebanese Cabinet has decided to deport Egyptian activist Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi to the United Arab Emirates, according to an official announcement following its latest session. Al-Qaradawi, who has been detained in Lebanon, is at the center of a case that has garnered significant legal and political attention. The decision, which comes amid ongoing deliberations, has yet to specify a timeline or conditions for the deportation. No additional details were provided by the Cabinet regarding the implementation of the order or any potential responses from international or regional stakeholders.

The Republic of Ghana has announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). This decision, conveyed in an official document from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, was addressed to Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates. Ghana has pledged to formally notify Morocco, the African Union, and the United Nations of its decision through diplomatic channels. The statement underscores Ghana’s backing of Morocco’s efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue. Ghana had recognized the SADR in 1979, but this move reflects a shift…

The Central African Republic (CAR) has taken a significant step toward advancing human rights with the adoption of a law to protect human rights defenders, approved by the National Assembly on December 27, 2024. Yao Agbetse, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in CAR, hailed the legislation as a historic milestone that strengthens the recognition and safety of individuals and organizations advocating for fundamental rights. Key Features of the Law: “This law is pivotal for democratic progress and the preservation of civic space in CAR,” Agbetse said. “It is a victory for justice and equality, offering defenders the…

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby has expressed strong disapproval of recent comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, describing them as dismissive towards Africa and its people. “I would like to express my indignation at the remarks recently made by President Emmanuel Macron, which verge on contempt for Africa and Africans,” President Déby stated. “I sincerely believe he is mistaken about the times we live in.” The remarks reflect rising tensions in Franco-African relations, as several African leaders increasingly voice opposition to perceived paternalistic attitudes from Western nations.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission’s Legal Affairs Directorate successfully organized the 6th Retreat of the ECOWAS Legal Advisers Network. The gathering took place from December 17 to 21, 2024, in Banjul, The Gambia, with representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Parliament, and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in attendance. The event began with an opening ceremony chaired by Acting Director of Legal Affairs, Mrs. Isatou Combeh Njai, who welcomed participants and commended their dedication to the network. The Legal Advisers Network serves as a platform for legal collaboration and professional exchange across ECOWAS institutions, agencies,…

Malawi’s ex-Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka, along with four other former government officials, was arrested on Monday over allegations of embezzling approximately $250 million from two state-owned enterprises. The accused include Lloyd Muhara, former Secretary to the President, Cliff Chiunda, former Treasury Secretary, and Collins Magalasi, ex-CEO of Malawi’s Energy Regulatory Authority. They are alleged to have diverted 447.5 billion kwacha ($258 million) from the Salima Sugar Company and the Greenbelt Initiative. Lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale, representing the suspects, confirmed the arrests. Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya stated that a 2023 audit of the Salima Sugar Company revealed significant financial mismanagement, leading to…

Clashes erupted in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, on Monday as young demonstrators and police faced off over demands for a return to civilian governance. The protests coincided with the expiration of the 24-month transition period agreed upon by the military junta and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the 2021 coup. The unrest resulted in the death of Mamadou Bailo Sidibe, a 20-year-old sheet metal worker, who was shot in the T8 district of Conakry’s upper suburbs. The incident paralyzed traffic and forced businesses to close in various parts of the city. The protests were organized by the…