Author: WAJ Editor

Italian authorities have apprehended a Libyan warlord, Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Al-Masri leads the Tripoli branch of the Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, a network of detention centers under the government-backed Special Defence Force (SDF). The SDF, operating as a military police unit, is tasked with combating crimes such as kidnappings, murders, and illegal migration. However, it has faced allegations of human rights violations and atrocities during Libya’s civil war, which followed the 2011 ousting of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The ICC has recently intensified its focus on…

Lloyd’s Register, a UK-based maritime organization, has publicly apologized for its involvement in facilitating the transatlantic slave trade, which subjected millions of Africans to inhumane conditions. The apology follows research conducted by the Wilberforce Institute at the University of Hull, which uncovered the company’s historical role in supporting the slave economy. From 1764 to 1834, Lloyd’s Register provided critical information on the seaworthiness of ships, enabling the trade and insurance of vessels used to transport enslaved Africans. Some of its founders were directly involved in slavery, while others participated in the trafficking of African people. The research revealed Britain’s extensive…

Several African countries have expressed their sympathies to Türkiye following a devastating fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, which claimed at least 76 lives and left 51 others injured, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Ethiopia’s foreign ministry conveyed “profound sadness” over the tragedy, offering heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. Similarly, Rwandan President Paul Kagame extended his “heartfelt condolences” to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the people of Türkiye, expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and injured individuals via a post on the X platform. Somalia also…

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on Tuesday, during which he commended Cairo’s role in mediating a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. The Kremlin statement also acknowledged contributions from other nations, including Qatar and the United States, in facilitating the deal. The leaders exchanged views on the broader Middle East, emphasizing the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while safeguarding the rights of its citizens, regardless of their political, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. Strengthening Bilateral Ties Discussions also touched on strengthening bilateral relations, including collaboration in trade, agriculture,…

The trial of two former allies of Benin’s President Patrice Talon, accused of plotting against the state, commenced in the capital Cotonou on Tuesday but was swiftly adjourned after defense lawyers walked out in protest. Olivier Boko, a prominent businessman and former close associate of President Talon, and Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, were arrested in September and charged with “plotting against the authority of the state, corruption by a public official, and forgery.” Three other defendants joined them in the courtroom, with all five pleading not guilty. Court Controversy Defense lawyers objected to the reduced three-judge panel presiding…

The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month debarment on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Norman Bwuruk Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices linked to Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project. The project, designed to provide financial aid to vulnerable households, was compromised during a 2018 procurement and contracting process. The World Bank revealed that the companies and their CEO misrepresented conflicts of interest, received confidential tender information, and falsified experience credentials and authorization documents. Additionally, they were found guilty of offering inducements to public…

Mauritania has embarked on a transformative initiative to empower its youth through modern technology and education, in collaboration with the Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation, the organization behind the globally renowned Teknofest Festival. On Tuesday, Mauritania’s Ministry of Vocational Training, Traditional Arts, and Handicrafts signed an agreement with the T3 Foundation to establish a new science and technology hub, named Science Nouakchott, in the nation’s capital. The initiative aims to provide young Mauritanians with advanced training in innovative educational and technological fields. Speaking on the partnership, the T3 Foundation highlighted its commitment to equipping Mauritania’s youth with the skills needed…

A boat carrying Ethiopian migrants from Djibouti capsized off Yemen, resulting in the deaths of 20 people, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Saturday off the coast of Yemen’s southwestern Taiz Governorate, amidst severe seasonal winds. The IOM stated that the victims included nine women and 11 men. The vessel was carrying 35 Ethiopian migrants along with a Yemeni captain and his assistant when it overturned. Yemen’s coastal waters are considered among the most perilous migrant routes globally. According to the IOM, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, many…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has entered into a $700,000 agreement with Prosper Africa, a U.S. government initiative, to establish an online credit rating data platform aimed at transforming how international investors evaluate risks in African markets. The platform is designed to improve access to reliable data and bridge information gaps that have often led to inaccurate perceptions of investment risks in Africa. By aligning perceived risks more closely with actual conditions, the initiative seeks to lower financing costs for African economies. Key features of the project include providing African nations with tools to better understand credit rating methodologies, simulate…

After a challenging 2024 marked by drought and slowed growth, Morocco’s economy is projected to rebound in 2025, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP). Improvements in agriculture, industry, and construction are expected to support the recovery, alongside continued growth in the service sector, which includes tourism, trade, and transport. The agricultural sector, which faced a 5% decline in 2024 due to severe drought, is forecasted to grow by 4.1% in 2025. Improved weather conditions are expected to boost cereal production beyond the 31.2 million quintals recorded last year. However, the livestock industry remains strained, with efforts focused on…

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has announced extensive disruptions to its railway operations following heavy rains that have severely damaged sections of the country’s rail network. In a statement released on Monday, the state-owned railway operator highlighted that the South East Line, near Zimbabwe’s borders with Mozambique and South Africa, was particularly affected. “The National Railways of Zimbabwe wishes to inform the public, customers, and all stakeholders that due to the ongoing incessant rains, we are experiencing wash-aways on some parts of our lines, particularly on the South East Line,” the statement read. The Rutenga-Mbizi and Rutenga-Beitbridge routes are…

Tunisia is grappling with a severe gas shortage, leaving households and businesses struggling to cope during the cold winter months. Long queues outside gas distribution centers in cities like Sousse have become a daily reality, as residents wait hours—sometimes days—to secure gas cylinders for heating and cooking. Rural areas and underserved regions, particularly in the snow-covered northwest, are hit hardest. With only one-third of the population connected to natural gas lines, most depend on liquefied gas cylinders, making supply disruptions particularly devastating. Delivery bottlenecks and limited storage capacity have compounded the crisis. Officials from the state-run distributor Agil report that…

Four Moroccan truck drivers abducted in West Africa over the weekend have been released and are safe in Niamey, Niger, according to the Moroccan Embassy in Burkina Faso. The drivers were transporting electrical equipment from Casablanca to Niamey, traveling over 3,000 miles (4,950 kilometers) when they were reported missing on Saturday. They had been navigating the Sahel, a region plagued by attacks from armed groups targeting travelers and transport routes. Echarki El Hachmi, secretary-general of Morocco’s Transport Union, confirmed that the drivers are unharmed and will return home soon. However, their trucks and cargo remain missing. The drivers had chosen…

An oil spill and fire at a wellhead in Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria, have persisted for four weeks, raising concerns over environmental destruction. Rights groups, including the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), reported that residents first alerted them to the incident, which remains unaddressed by authorities or operators. EDEN’s executive director, Chima Williams, described the situation as an environmental crisis that has disrupted the livelihoods of local communities. He urged authorities to extinguish the blaze and stop the ongoing spill, which has caused severe pollution in the area. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)…

The United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has announced a significant disarmament milestone, with over 600 fighters from the Zaïre armed group laying down their weapons. Speaking in New York, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, described the move as a crucial step toward reintegrating former combatants, including women and youth, into civilian life. The announcement followed a recent ceremony in Bunia, where more than 85 weapons and munitions were handed over to the UN mission. Haq noted that the ex-combatants are being supported through agricultural initiatives, income-generating activities, and community recovery programs.…

A Spanish national abducted in North Africa on January 17 has been freed by Tuareg separatists in northern Mali, according to spokesmen for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). The man, identified as Gilbert Navarro, was reportedly kidnapped in southern Algeria before being transported to Mali. Spain’s Foreign Ministry had earlier confirmed the abduction but did not provide further details. On Monday, FLA leader Attaye Ag Mohamed announced on social media platform X that Navarro had been rescued by the group and was “in good health.” He added that the former hostage would stay temporarily under the FLA’s protection before being…