Author: WAJ Editor

The Moroccan government has unveiled comprehensive reforms to its family code, known as the Mudawana, marking the first significant revisions in two decades. The reforms aim to enhance women’s rights in the context of balancing universal principles with the country’s Islamic traditions. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq, who presented a draft Mudawana with over 100 amendments addressing critical issues highlighted by women’s rights activists. Key proposals in the reforms include: The reforms, announced amid growing calls for gender equality, seek to align Morocco’s family law with both…

Thousands of Mozambicans have sought refuge in neighboring Malawi following months of violent unrest sparked by disputed presidential election results. According to Dominic Mwandira, a senior official in Malawi’s Nsanje district, approximately 2,000 families have crossed the border since Monday. “They are arriving as families, and we have temporarily sheltered them in schools while making proper arrangements. The numbers are expected to rise,” Mwandira told Anadolu Agency. Post-election violence has gripped Mozambique since the October 9 presidential polls, with reports of 248 fatalities, including 33 deaths during a large-scale prison break on Wednesday. More than 1,500 inmates escaped from Maputo…

The European Union (EU) has strongly condemned the wave of post-election violence in Mozambique, which has claimed 151 lives since October 21, according to election monitoring group Plataforma Decide. In a statement issued on December 24, the EU expressed deep concern over the unrest following Mozambique’s October 9 elections, officially confirmed by the Constitutional Council earlier this week. The results declared Daniel Chapo as the President-elect, sparking renewed violence that left 21 dead on Monday alone. The EU called on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could worsen tensions. It emphasized the need for accountability and…

Egypt and Qatar have launched a joint effort to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and expedite the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the war-torn territory. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced the initiative following discussions with Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti in Cairo on Wednesday. “The Palestinian cause remains central to the Arab world,” Abdelatty stated. “Egypt, in cooperation with Qatar, is working tirelessly to achieve an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression, enforce a ceasefire, and ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid access to Gaza.” The situation in Gaza is dire. According to the Health Ministry, more than 45,000 Palestinians…

Farmers in Egypt are embracing biogas technology to cut costs and boost sustainability. Mohamed Eissa, a 43-year-old farmer from Beni Suef province, is among those benefiting from biogas production units introduced by a Cairo-based bioenergy company. These units convert manure into cooking fuel and organic fertilizers, offering both economic and environmental advantages. “The biogas unit has been a game-changer for my household and farm,” said Eissa. “I used to spend around EGP 680 ($22.40) per month on four butane cylinders. Now, I only need one cylinder, saving EGP 500 ($16.50) monthly. Plus, the organic fertilizers help nourish my potato crops.”…

Ethiopia’s Federal High Court in Dire Dawa, Jigjiga Criminal Court Rotating Bench, has handed down sentences of up to 20 years in prison to 81 individuals convicted of engaging in terrorist activities as members of the Al-Shabaab militant group. According to state media, the accused were prosecuted under the Ethiopian Federal Criminal Code of 2004 and the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism Crimes Proclamation No. 1176/2020. They were found guilty of leading and participating in terrorist operations, as well as maintaining associations with Al-Shabaab, a globally recognized terrorist organization, since 2022. Evidence presented by the Ministry of Justice’s Organized and…

Hundreds of inmates reportedly escaped from two correctional facilities in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, amid ongoing violent protests over disputed election results. The prison break occurred on Wednesday in the Machava neighborhood, with approximately 150 inmates confirmed to have fled, according to local journalist Clemente Carlos. Speaking to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Carlos described video footage showing one escapee — still in handcuffs — claiming to have been part of protests against the contested elections. Carlos speculated that the Christmas holiday, which typically sees reduced staffing at such institutions, may have provided an opportunity for the escapes. Escalating Unrest…

A confidential cache of U.N. documents has revealed that efforts to clean up oil spills in Nigeria’s Niger Delta have been riddled with failures and allegations of corruption, casting a shadow over a $1 billion restoration project launched to address decades of environmental damage. The cleanup, overseen by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (Hyprep), was intended to restore polluted areas, particularly Ogoniland, after thousands of oil spills since the 1950s turned the region into a symbol of environmental devastation. Instead, the initiative has been described by U.N. officials as a “total failure.” Investigations found that Hyprep awarded cleanup contracts to…

Venancio Mondlane, leader of Mozambique’s opposition party Podemos, has announced plans to declare himself president on January 15, the same day Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) is set to be sworn in following a contentious election. Mondlane claims the October 9 presidential election was marred by fraud and accuses the ruling party of stealing his mandate. Despite his allegations, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council on Monday confirmed Chapo as the winner, reducing his victory margin from 71% to 65%. The ruling extended Frelimo’s nearly five-decade rule in the country.Speaking to his supporters via social media, Mondlane rejected the…

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted executive approval for visa-free entry to Ghana for citizens of all African nations, marking a significant step toward fostering continental integration. The approval, issued on December 18, 2024, positions Ghana alongside Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the few African countries offering visa-free access to all holders of African passports. This decision fulfills a pledge made by President Akufo-Addo during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD 2024) in January, where he committed to enhancing the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent. The initiative is expected to…

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty highlighted the strength of Egyptian-Tunisian relations during a joint press conference on Wednesday with Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti. Welcoming Nafti to Egypt, Abdelatty praised the friendly ties between the two nations and emphasized the close relationship between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Tunisian President Kais Saied. He noted that the bond between the two leaders was further strengthened following President Saied’s visit to Egypt in April 2021. Abdelatty pointed to directives from both leaders aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in light of the pivotal challenges currently facing the region. He…

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sudan, Fatih Yildiz, has emphasized the importance of Turkish institutions in Sudan and reaffirmed Ankara’s unwavering solidarity with the Sudanese people during a period of intense challenges. Yildiz acknowledged the deep historical ties between the two nations and highlighted Port Sudan as the country’s current de facto administrative center. He stressed Türkiye’s commitment to standing by Sudan through comprehensive representation, including military, interior, and educational advisors at the embassy in Port Sudan, one of the few diplomatic missions still operational in the area. Yildiz underscored Türkiye’s efforts to expand its presence in Sudan, focusing on initiatives such…

U.S. President Joe Biden recently met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to reinforce the partnership between their nations and reaffirm their shared commitment to economic and democratic progress. The leaders discussed transformative infrastructure projects, including the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor and a new rail line connecting the Angola border with Zambia. These initiatives aim to lower transportation costs, improve access to regional and global markets, and foster sustainable economic growth for Zambia. Central to their talks was the $491 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, under which the United States will contribute $458 million and Zambia $33 million. The compact is expected…

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has urged political parties in Mozambique to respect the results of the October 9, 2024, presidential election. The election outcome, confirmed by Mozambique’s Constitutional Council on December 23, declared FRELIMO’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, the winner with approximately 65% of the vote, slightly lower than the 70% reported by the electoral commission in October. The Constitutional Council also revised the allocation of parliamentary seats to FRELIMO, though the rationale for these changes was not disclosed. In a statement issued on December 25, Mnangagwa emphasized the…

Egypt and Uzbekistan have signed four memoranda of understanding to strengthen their partnership in trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural domains. The agreements were finalized at the conclusion of the 7th session of the Egyptian-Uzbek Joint Committee, marking the first such meeting in 15 years. The Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change were key signatories to the agreements. One of the agreements establishes a collaboration between Ain Shams University in Egypt and Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies in Uzbekistan to enhance academic programs and…

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued a public health advisory following a cholera outbreak that has claimed 35 lives and affected 4,155 individuals across the country. The advisory, signed by Director General Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye and released on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, urges Ghanaians to prioritize hygiene practices to curb the spread of the disease. Regions including Accra, Eastern, Central, Western, and Ashanti have reported cases, with the Western Region being the hardest hit, accounting for 17 deaths. The advisory particularly emphasized the importance of taking precautions during the Christmas season to prevent further infections. Key guidelines include drinking…