Author: WAJ Editor

Twenty-eight soldiers were killed in northern Benin in a deadly attack blamed on insurgents from neighboring countries, a security official confirmed on Thursday. The attack occurred Wednesday evening near Benin’s border with Burkina Faso and Niger, regions plagued by insurgent violence. Authorities have attributed the rising violence in northern Benin to militant groups operating across the borders. Military sources revealed that ongoing operations have resulted in the neutralization of 40 assailants so far. The northern border area has witnessed increasing violence in recent years. In December, gunmen killed three soldiers and wounded four others guarding an oil pipeline in northeastern…

Guinea could see presidential and legislative elections later this year, according to government spokesperson Ousmane Gaoual Diallo. The announcement comes over three years after the military seized power in a coup. The country’s military leadership, led by General Mamady Doumbouya, initially pledged to hold a constitutional referendum and transfer power to civilians by the end of 2024 under international pressure. However, neither milestone has been achieved. In his New Year’s address, Doumbouya described 2025 as a “crucial electoral year” for restoring constitutional order, though specific dates remain unclear. Speaking to French broadcaster RFI, Diallo revealed plans for a constitutional referendum,…

Libya’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taher Al-Baour, reiterated the country’s rejection of any military presence on its territory without prior approval from the Government of National Unity (GNU). He emphasized that such arrangements must fall within bilateral agreements that align with Libya’s interests. Speaking to Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Al-Baour affirmed that the GNU remains the sole internationally recognized government, dismissing the authority of the parallel administration backed by the House of Representatives in Tobruk. He stressed that the Tobruk-based government is not authorized to sign international agreements. Diplomatic Developments Al-Baour announced plans to reopen the Syrian embassy in…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are ready to assist Mozambique in resolving its ongoing political crisis following disputed presidential elections. “We are closely monitoring developments in Mozambique, a valued neighbor, trading partner, and SADC member,” Ramaphosa stated in Cape Town. He emphasized that the regional bloc stands prepared to provide Mozambique with the necessary support to navigate its political challenges. Calls for Peace and Stability Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, chairperson of the 16-member SADC, recently urged an immediate end to hostilities, which have already claimed nearly…

A deadly assault on Chad’s presidential complex on Wednesday night left at least 19 people dead, escalating concerns about the nation’s political and security instability. Heavily armed attackers stormed the palace in N’Djamena, prompting a fierce gun battle with security forces. Government officials reported that 18 attackers were killed along with one member of the security forces, while three others were injured. Six suspects were arrested, though their identities remain undisclosed. President Mahamat Idriss Deby was inside the palace during the attack, which coincided with a state visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Conflicting Theories Behind the Attack Authorities…

As Malawi approaches the 2025 General Elections, the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) has unveiled a five-year strategic plan and a communication strategy to guide its operations from 2024 to 2029. Speaking at the launch event held in Lilongwe on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Joyce Chitsulo, described the two documents as critical tools in preparing the nation for the elections. “The government is committed to ensuring that Malawians remain peaceful and united, regardless of their ethnic, religious, political, or other differences,” Chitsulo emphasized. She noted that since its inception, the MPUC had been operating without a clear…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo to engage in direct talks with the M23 rebel group, which has recently seized key towns in eastern Congo, further consolidating its control over the conflict-stricken region. The M23 group, one of over 100 armed factions in the mineral-rich area bordering Rwanda, captured the strategic towns of Katale and Masisi last month, displacing thousands of people. Masisi, located 80 kilometers west of Goma, serves as a critical gateway to Congo’s interior. Speaking in Kigali, Kagame emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflict. “The solution lies in…

Amnesty International has called on Cameroonian authorities to cease the harassment of prominent human rights defender Alice Nkom and to reinstate the operations of suspended civil society organizations. Alice Nkom, a lawyer and President of the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (Redhac), has been summoned multiple times by Cameroonian authorities. This follows the arbitrary suspension of Redhac and three other organizations by the Minister of Territorial Administration, citing alleged financial irregularities and activities deemed detrimental to the state. Amnesty International’s interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marceau Sivieude, condemned the actions, stating, “The weaponization of the justice…

As France faces diminishing influence across Africa, its military base in Djibouti has emerged as a critical foothold for retaining relevance on the continent. The strategically located nation, at the crossroads of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, has become a hub for global military powers seeking control over vital maritime routes and regional stability. Djibouti hosts bases for multiple nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Italy, as well as France, which first established its presence there in 1969. However, the increasing competition from other powers, particularly China and the U.S., has prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to…

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara, currently serving a controversial third term, has expressed his willingness to continue leading the country but noted that his party has not yet confirmed its candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Ouattara, 83, was re-elected in 2020 after a constitutional referendum in 2016, which he argued reset his term limits under the new constitution. Despite previous remarks about stepping down, he has indicated his readiness to remain in office, provided political stability is ensured. Speaking to the diplomatic corps in Abidjan, Ouattara said, “I am in good health and eager to continue serving my country,”…

The “Mama Jasiri” Education and Production Workshop, a transformative initiative supported by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), has officially opened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This project, carried out in partnership with the African Culture House Association, seeks to empower women by enhancing their roles in economic and social development. The workshop provides women with education and employment opportunities, focusing on transforming the locally abundant sisal plant into value-added products. This initiative aims to support women’s economic independence and foster community growth. Dignitaries at the opening ceremony included Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu; TİKA Vice President,…

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio welcomed Algeria’s Special Envoy, Sofiane Chaib, in a meeting aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two nations. Sofiane Chaib, who also serves as Algeria’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the National Community Abroad, delivered a message from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, reaffirming Algeria’s commitment to fostering closer ties with Sierra Leone. During the meeting, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, highlighted the significance of the envoy’s visit as a continuation of President Bio’s diplomatic efforts. He referenced the…

Kenya Airways is set to resume direct flights to Luanda, Angola, starting this March. The announcement followed a meeting between Kenyan President William Ruto and Angolan President João Lourenço at the presidential palace in Luanda, signaling closer diplomatic and economic collaboration between the two nations. In a related move to boost bilateral ties, Angola plans to waive visa requirements for Kenyan travelers, mirroring Kenya’s earlier decision. “This initiative will make it easier for Kenyan professionals, such as teachers, to access opportunities in Angola,” President Ruto stated. The leaders also addressed critical regional and continental matters, including peace in the Great…

Mozambique’s opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has returned from over two months in exile, declaring his willingness to engage in talks over contentious election results that have sparked weeks of deadly protests. Mondlane, who alleges the October 9 election was rigged to favor the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, arrived at Maputo International Airport to a crowd of journalists and supporters. Chapo, the declared winner, is scheduled to be sworn in on January 15. Addressing the media, Mondlane stated, “I’m here in person to say that if you want to negotiate… I’m here,” sending a clear message to authorities seeking…

A new initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is bringing hope to farming communities in Zimbabwe by revitalizing the livestock sector. The project, supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), focuses on rehabilitating 40 dip tanks and drilling 20 boreholes across six districts: Chirumhanzu, Shurugwi, Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Insiza, and Umzingwane. Livestock plays a vital role in Zimbabwean communities, providing income, draught power for farming, and supporting education expenses. However, aging infrastructure and water shortages have left cattle vulnerable to deadly tick-borne diseases like theileriosis,…

Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) illegally exported at least 150 metric tonnes of coltan to Rwanda in 2024, according to a United Nations report. The UN experts highlighted this as the largest contamination of the Great Lakes Region’s mineral supply chain in over a decade. The illegal trade began after the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, seized control of the mineral-rich Rubaya area in April 2024. M23’s dominance over transport routes allowed minerals from Rubaya to mix with Rwanda’s production, complicating the supply chain for global tech manufacturers reliant on coltan for devices like smartphones…