Author: WAJ Editor

The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, has called a special cabinet meeting for Wednesday as negotiations over the controversial Chagos Islands deal near completion. This comes amid reports that UK Labour leader Keir Starmer is rushing to finalize the agreement before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on January 20. Trump has expressed opposition to the Biden administration’s stance on the Chagos Islands, which are claimed by both Mauritius and the UK, and has signaled he would veto any handover once in office. Mauritius government sources indicate the deal is close to being finalized,…

Burkina Faso’s military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, has accused France of altering its strategy to retain influence in Africa, even as several nations expel French forces and military bases. Speaking at a ceremony in Ouagadougou on Monday, Traore claimed France is shifting to covert operations. “They will no longer leave some countries entirely. Instead, they will establish security companies to protect their interests while keeping soldiers in disguise, not in uniform or visible bases,” he said, lamenting that many African leaders have not recognized this shift. Burkina Faso, under military rule since January 2022, was one of the first nations…

Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives has approved a new Property Tax Proclamation aimed at broadening the country’s tax base and enhancing municipal revenues. The legislation, passed during Parliament’s 15th regular session with ten votes in favor and four against, introduces taxes on urban land, buildings, and land improvements. Initially proposed in June 2024, the law underwent detailed reviews by the Planning, Budget, and Finance Affairs Committee, alongside public consultations in December. Key provisions of the new law include a taxable amount set at 25% of a property’s market or replacement value. Tax rates for land usage rights range from 0.2%…

The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has issued an update regarding Cyclone Dikeledi, currently located along the Mozambique coastline in the Indian Ocean. According to TMA, the cyclone is expected to return to the Mozambique Channel on the afternoon of January 14, 2025. In its statement, TMA clarified that the cyclone does not pose an immediate threat to Tanzania. However, its proximity to the southern regions of the country could result in brief heavy rains in Lindi and Mtwara starting January 14, 2025. The authority also warned of strong winds and high ocean waves along the Tanzanian coastline and surrounding areas,…

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Wale Edun, has called on the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to increase investments and adopt innovative strategies in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and railway development globally. Speaking at the IsDB Governors’ Retreat in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Edun emphasized the need for transformative, high-impact projects while maintaining minimal debt for sustainable development. He also advocated for bold reforms and robust monitoring systems to ensure lasting impact. The retreat focused on shaping the IsDB’s 10-year strategy (2026–2035) to address global development challenges. Edun’s proposals align with Nigeria’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and strengthening the IsDB’s contributions to member states.…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that intense seismic activity near the Fentale and Dofan volcanoes in Ethiopia’s Main Rift Valley, first observed on January 4, continues to disrupt the southern Afar and northern Oromia regions. Ethiopia’s government has evacuated over 60,000 people from high-risk areas amid ongoing tremors, rockfalls, and ash emissions reported since January 2. Emergency shelters have been set up to accommodate displaced populations, with 51,456 individuals relocated in Afar and 20,325 in Oromia. While Mount Dofen has ceased emitting smoke, lava continues to flow from its crater. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed hope for a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing its importance for humanitarian aid delivery and the cessation of violence against Palestinians. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, reaffirmed South Africa’s longstanding stance advocating for an end to the displacement of Palestinians and the establishment of humanitarian corridors. “A ceasefire would provide a critical opportunity to deliver food, water, and medicine to those in desperate need,” Magwenya stated. The call for peace follows reports of over 46,000 fatalities, including women and children, during Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations. Global organizations have accused Israel of committing genocide, sparking…

South African authorities are conducting a large-scale rescue operation at the disused Buffelsfontein Gold Mine near Stilfontein, following reports of trapped and deceased illegal miners. The situation has sparked debates over who should bear the estimated R12 million ($626,332) cost— the government or the mine’s owners. Videos of trapped miners and bodies wrapped in makeshift bags circulated on social media, highlighting the dire conditions underground. More than 10 bodies have been recovered, with reports suggesting at least 100 miners have died from starvation and dehydration since a standoff began last year. The rescue effort involves a private company deploying specialized…

Ghana’s Kantamanto Market, the country’s largest hub for second-hand clothing, was left in ruins after a devastating fire on New Year’s Day, displacing thousands of traders and destroying millions of garments. According to the Ghana-based Or Foundation, nearly 8,900 stalls were razed, directly affecting 10,000 individuals. The market, located in Accra, is a vital economic and social center, employing over 30,000 people and recirculating 25 million pieces of second-hand clothing monthly through resale, repair, and remanufacturing. “Resources are urgently needed to rebuild and sustain the livelihoods of those impacted,” the Or Foundation stated, adding that approximately 60% of the market…

At least three members of Cameroon’s Defense and Security Forces lost their lives in an armed assault on a military camp in the country’s Far North Region, according to local reports. The attack, attributed to suspected Boko Haram militants, targeted the Ngouma military camp in Logone-et-Chari on Monday, as reported. The assailants reportedly seized weapons, torched a military vehicle, and fled the scene. Boko Haram, a group notorious for its violent insurgency that began in northeastern Nigeria in 2009, has expanded its operations to neighboring nations, including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The group’s activities have prompted a regional military coalition…

At least 100 illegal miners have reportedly died while trapped in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa, according to a group representing mining communities. The Mining Affected Communities United in Action Group stated on Monday that the miners had been trapped underground for months in a mine located in North West province. The group’s spokesperson, Sabelo Mnguni, said the deaths likely resulted from starvation or dehydration, as the miners had no access to supplies. Videos retrieved from a cellphone sent to the surface with some rescued miners reportedly showed dozens of bodies underground wrapped in plastic. Mnguni confirmed that…

In Madagascar’s Grand Sud region, child marriage remains a pervasive form of gender-based violence, with 40% of girls married before the age of 18. The UNFPA, in collaboration with local organizations, is working to address this issue through awareness campaigns aimed at changing harmful social norms and empowering communities. Droughts and economic hardships have exacerbated vulnerabilities in regions like Anôsy, where over half of girls have never attended school. For many families, marrying off daughters seems like a solution to financial struggles. However, information sessions led by UNFPA and the Association of Women with Disabilities in Madagascar have been pivotal…

Opposition leaders in the Indian Ocean nation of Comoros have rejected the results of Sunday’s legislative elections, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities. The two-round election, intended to elect 33 lawmakers, was boycotted by much of the opposition, who claimed the process lacked transparency. Daoud Abdallah Mohamed, leader of the United Opposition coalition and a former interior minister, described the election as plagued by “gross fraud,” including ballot box stuffing and instances where vote counts exceeded the number of registered voters. In Anjouan, the country’s most populous island, the electoral commission announced that 12 candidates from the ruling Convention for the…

Senegal has taken a major step toward reducing its reliance on sugar imports by establishing two new production plants that will utilize locally grown sugarcane, according to Minister of Industry and Commerce Serigne Gueye Diop. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote self-sufficiency and foster domestic champions in sectors like agriculture. For over 50 years, the Compagnie Sucrière Sénégalaise (CSS) held a monopoly on sugar production, sparking consumer frustration over price fluctuations and limited market competition. The government’s move aims to break this monopoly, create a competitive market, and modernize the retail trade. Plans include setting…

Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga remains a strong contender for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, dismissing rumors of his withdrawal. Odinga, who served as Kenya’s premier from 2008 to 2013, is competing against Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad. Amid speculation of a potential withdrawal due to vote shortfalls, Kenyan officials confirmed Odinga’s commitment to the race, emphasizing his confidence in winning. On a diplomatic tour, Odinga met Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, seeking support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Odinga underscored the…

A Chinese-owned fishing vessel, hijacked off Somalia’s coast in November, has been released along with its 18-member crew, the Chinese Embassy in Somalia announced on Monday. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy credited “unremitting efforts of the Chinese government” for the crew’s rescue. The statement condemned the hijacking, describing it as a “vicious action” that endangered crew safety and international maritime security. It further pledged China’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of its citizens and enterprises abroad. The vessel was seized in late November and taken to the Xaafuun district in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in…