Author: WAJ Editor

Rebel forces supported by Rwanda have seized Masisi, a key town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, escalating tensions in the conflict-ridden North Kivu province. This marks the second town captured by the M23 group within two days, further extending their control over parts of the mineral-rich region. The M23, which claims to protect ethnic Tutsis from persecution, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people since its resurgence in 2021. Local officials, including North Kivu assembly member Alexis Bahunga, have described the situation as a “serious humanitarian crisis” and urged the government to bolster the army’s capabilities in the…

On Sunday, a humanitarian aid plane carrying 34 tonnes of food and medical supplies departed from Misrata, Libya, en route to Damascus, Syria. This effort supports Syria as it continues its post-Assad regime transition. The Misrata city government announced that the flight, organized in coordination with the Libyan Red Crescent, also included a delegation from the city. Upon arrival at Damascus Airport, the delegation was welcomed by representatives of the Syrian Red Crescent and officials from Libya’s Embassy in Syria. Syrian state television confirmed the successful delivery of the aid, highlighting its importance in addressing ongoing humanitarian needs.

Mali’s army announced the arrest of two individuals on Saturday, including a senior figure in the Sahel branch of an international militant group. The operation, conducted in the northern regions of the country, also resulted in the deaths of several fighters associated with the group. In a statement, the army identified one of the detainees as Mahamad Ould Erkehile, known as Abu Rakia, and the other as Abu Hash, a prominent leader accused of orchestrating atrocities in the Menaka and Gao regions. The two are also linked to attacks targeting Malian military forces. Mali has experienced ongoing unrest since 2012,…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni held a phone conversation on January 3, 2025, emphasizing the strong historical ties between their nations and the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy reported that the leaders discussed expanding collaboration to serve the mutual interests of both countries, given their pivotal roles in Africa. They highlighted the need for stronger coordination among Nile Basin nations to address shared challenges. The conversation also addressed regional issues, including the crises in Sudan and Somalia. President El-Sisi briefed his counterpart on Egypt’s efforts to support…

Zambian authorities are searching for 13 escaped inmates after a police detective, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, unlocked their jail cells on New Year’s Eve and told them they were free to leave. According to police reports, the officer forcibly took the cell keys from a colleague and opened both male and female cells at a Lusaka police station, encouraging the inmates to “cross over into the New Year.” Of the 15 suspects in custody at the time, all but two fled. The escaped individuals face charges for serious crimes, including assault, theft, and burglary. Police spokesman Rae Hamoonga…

Egypt has introduced a sweeping entry ban on Syrian nationals, barring them from entering the country from anywhere in the world unless they hold temporary residency permits. This marks the second such decision targeting Syrians since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Damascus on December 8, 2024. Two weeks earlier, Egyptian authorities restricted entry for Syrians holding European, American, or Canadian residency permits, requiring prior security clearance from Cairo. Similar restrictions were placed on Syrian Schengen visa holders and Syrians married to Egyptians. The move has significant implications for the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who fled to Egypt…

Community health volunteers (CHWs) in Kenya are advocating for improved pay and professional recognition as they play a critical role in bridging gaps in the country’s overstretched healthcare system. In rural areas like Lwala, where access to healthcare is limited, CHWs like Millicent Miruka provide essential services, including health education, routine medical checks, and family planning guidance. With around 100,000 CHWs nationwide, their work has proven vital in improving health outcomes and alleviating pressure on clinics and hospitals. Despite their contributions, CHWs have long faced inadequate pay and a lack of career advancement. Until 2023, many earned between $15 to…

Success Egbekoba, a Nigerian entrepreneur, is making headlines with her attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud by an individual. Starting on December 29, 2024, Egbekoba aims to achieve an impressive 250 hours of continuous reading, far surpassing the current record of 124 hours set by Rysbai Isakov of Kyrgyzstan in 2022. The record-breaking effort is scheduled to conclude at the College of Education in Warri, Delta State, on January 5, 2025. Egbekoba’s ambitious attempt underscores her dedication to promoting literacy and education in Nigeria. By more than doubling the existing record, she hopes…

Rwanda’s healthcare facilities recorded a remarkable 1,800 births over Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Ministry of Health has announced. On January 1, 2025, a total of 913 babies were born, including 473 girls and 440 boys. The Ministry also reported 887 births on Christmas Day, underscoring the joy of the festive season. Dr. Muhammed Semakula, Head of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Health Financing at the Ministry of Health, stated that the figures were gathered from 584 health facilities across the country. The Eastern Province led with 261 births on New Year’s Day, followed by the Southern Province with 183,…

In an innovative approach to bring entertainment and inspiration to underserved areas, a mobile cinema project in Tunisia is transforming how people experience films. The Cinema Tdour initiative, a cinema-on-wheels, travels to remote Tunisian communities often excluded from the country’s cultural scene. For many in these regions, the nearest cinema hall is up to 90 kilometers (56 miles) away, according to project manager Meriam Ben Zayed. “All cinema halls are located in the capital, leaving other areas without access,” Ben Zayed noted. Beyond screening movies, the project aims to inspire the younger generation. “Out of those watching, maybe 50 will…

Ghana has welcomed hundreds of African Americans into its fold, granting citizenship to individuals reconnecting with their ancestral heritage. Among the new citizens are Keachia Bowers and Damon Smith, former Florida residents who relocated to Ghana in 2023 in search of belonging. In a ceremony held in November, Bowers, Smith, and 522 others officially became Ghanaian citizens. For Bowers, the citizenship represents more than just a legal status—it honors the unfulfilled dreams of her ancestors. “My ancestors wanted to return home, but they never made it. This passport is for them,” she said. The initiative is part of Ghana’s Beyond…

Choguel Maïga, the former Prime Minister of Mali, is facing accusations of embezzlement from the country’s public spending oversight body. A report from the authority claims that Maïga was involved in multiple instances of embezzling significant amounts of money and that he either concealed or benefited from some of these actions. The auditor’s report highlights “undue expenditure on staff” between 2020 and 2023, including phone subscriptions totaling nearly €20,000 and equipment like WiFi and computers that were intended for schools. Maïga served as Prime Minister from June 2021 until his dismissal in November 2024 by junta leader Col. Assimi Goïta,…

The United Nations has launched its 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), seeking $4.2 billion to assist nearly 21 million vulnerable people in Sudan, where the ongoing crisis has reached unprecedented levels. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, highlighted that over half of the population urgently needs humanitarian and protection services, including 16 million children. Acute food insecurity, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan, has reached historic levels amid more than 20 months of armed conflict. The crisis has been exacerbated by violence, displacement, malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and climate shocks, leaving two-thirds…

Uganda’s Energy and Mineral Development Minister, Ruth Nankabirwa, has confirmed that the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is progressing as planned. The 1,443-kilometer pipeline, valued at $3.55 billion, will transport crude oil from Uganda’s Albertine Graben region to Tanzania’s Tanga seaport. Nankabirwa reported that 1,100 kilometers of pipeline have been delivered to Tanzania, marking significant progress. Additionally, the completion of a thermal insulation plant in Tanzania and the arrival of insulated line pipes are critical milestones in the project. The EACOP project is a collaborative effort involving TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and the national oil companies of Uganda…

In a remarkable story of survival, a seven-year-old boy from northern Zimbabwe, Tinotenda Pudu, endured five days alone in Matusadona National Park, a wildlife reserve teeming with predators such as lions and elephants. Tinotenda wandered 49 kilometers (30 miles) from his home into the sprawling wilderness, where he relied on survival instincts to stay alive. According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), he sustained himself by eating wild fruits and digging shallow wells in dry riverbeds for water—a skill vital in the region’s drought-prone areas. The local community launched a search effort, using drum beats to guide…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has lauded the efforts of countries including Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Algeria, and Tunisia for facilitating medical evacuations and providing healthcare to victims of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since October 2023, more than 5,300 patients have been evacuated from the besieged territory, WHO reported on Thursday. However, the pace of these evacuations remains alarmingly slow, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The UN agency estimates that over 12,000 critically ill individuals in Gaza still require urgent medical evacuation for life-saving treatment. At the current evacuation rate, it could take five to ten years to…