Author: WAJ Editor

The Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya, Wael Nasr el-Din Attia, met with Moses Kuria, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, on Wednesday to discuss strengthening trade and business ties between the two nations. During the meeting, they explored steps to revive the activities of the joint trade technical committee. Kuria highlighted the growing trade relations, noting Egypt’s increasing imports of Kenyan tea and its exports of textiles and construction materials to Kenya. Kuria also emphasized the advantages of COMESA trade exemptions, which facilitate business for traders in both countries. He expressed Kenya’s eagerness to attract more Egyptian investors, particularly in industrial projects,…

Türkiye has conveyed heartfelt condolences to Mozambique following the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck the country on December 15. “We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Mozambique,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated on Tuesday, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives caused by the cyclone. The powerful category 4 storm brought winds of up to 260 kilometers (160 miles) per hour and dumped approximately 250 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours. The destruction has been severe, with the death toll rising to 120 and…

At least 50 people were injured during violent protests in Mozambique after the Constitutional Council declared ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo the winner of the October 9 presidential election. The announcement, made on Monday, sparked outrage among supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, leading to widespread demonstrations. According to reports, many of the injured protesters, some with gunshot wounds, were admitted to Maputo Central Hospital. Demonstrators were also accused of vandalizing police stations, gas stations, bank branches, and other public facilities across the capital. The Constitutional Council’s ruling upheld an earlier decision by the electoral commission confirming Chapo’s victory, although…

Prominent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains at the center of a legal and political storm after his abduction in Kenya and subsequent detention in a military jail in Kampala. Lawyers representing Besigye have appealed to Uganda’s Supreme Court to prevent him from being tried in a military court, arguing that such proceedings violate his rights. Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua, whose book launch Besigye attended in Nairobi before his abduction, has pledged to assist in his defense. Amnesty International has condemned the Ugandan government’s actions, labeling them as part of a growing trend of transnational repression that violates…

Former Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’nah has vowed to challenge the legality of Liberia’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget if President Joseph Boakai signs it into law. The $880 million budget, passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives’ “majority bloc,” has sparked controversy amid accusations of procedural violations. Speaking on a public platform, Justice Ja’nah announced plans to sue the government, starting with lower courts and escalating to the Supreme Court, to seek a legal declaration on whether the budget’s passage adhered to constitutional requirements. Ja’nah emphasized that the aim is to clarify the procedural legality of the budget,…

Malawi’s ambitious socioeconomic agenda, Malawi 2063 (MW2063), faces significant setbacks due to recurring climate disasters, including cyclones, droughts, and floods. Over the past six years, the country has endured substantial losses from events like Cyclones Idai, Ana, and Freddy, as well as El Niño-induced droughts, with damages exceeding $1.19 billion. Cyclone Freddy alone caused $506.7 million in damages and required $680.4 million for recovery. The El Niño event in early 2024 further devastated agricultural production, impacting nearly two million farming households and destroying 44% of Malawi’s maize crops. The disasters have strained the country’s resources and slowed progress on MW2063,…

The United States is reportedly intensifying its biological research activities across Africa, according to documents cited by a Russian defense official. Major General Aleksey Rtishchev of the Russian Defense Ministry stated that the U.S. is expanding its biological warfare presence on the continent, Russian media outlet TASS reported. “The documents at our disposal confirm that the U.S. biological warfare presence on the African continent is growing at a rapid pace,” Rtishchev claimed. “Research institutes under the U.S. Department of Defense are actively operating in the region.” Rtishchev highlighted specific activities, including U.S. National Naval Military Medical Center branches in Ghana…

A Taipei immigration services company head has been indicted for allegedly selling counterfeit Burkina Faso passports, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office announced Tuesday. The accused, identified by her surname Lai (賴), reportedly targeted parents seeking to enroll their children in international schools in Taiwan, which limit admission to foreign passport holders. Prosecutors revealed that Lai sourced the forged passports from an individual named Daniel Wang. Between 2018 and 2023, she allegedly sold seven fake passports at a price of approximately USD 16,000 each. Although Lai claimed she believed the passports were authentic, evidence from text messages suggested she was fully…

Egypt and Morocco approved $5.5 billion arms deal with USA, aiming to enhance their defense capabilities and deepen strategic partnerships. Egypt is set to receive up to 2,183 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R Hellfire missiles in a $630 million package that includes spare parts, logistics, and training. Additionally, the country will acquire 543 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) worth $30 million, complementing a previous purchase of 216 APKWS units. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated that these sales would enhance Egypt’s ability to counter regional threats and improve interoperability with U.S. and allied forces. “The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s…

Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector is undergoing a digital transformation, with over 1,100 facilities now utilizing advanced technologies to improve healthcare delivery across the country. The Impilo Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, introduced as a pilot project in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District in 2016, has expanded nationwide. The system ensures patients’ medical records follow them between facilities, streamlining care and enhancing efficiency. Dr. Robert Gongora, Deputy Director of Health Informatics and Data Analytics, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding digital health services. He highlighted applications enabling patients to access personal health records via smartphones, book appointments, and even consult doctors virtually through…

Niger has commemorated the first anniversary of the departure of French troops, celebrating what organizers described as “one year of the victory of good over evil.” A demonstration held on December 23, 2024, was organized by religious associations and the M62 civil society movement. Abdoulaye Seydou, the national coordinator of the event, said the gathering was meant to “commemorate this date and immortalize it.” “This day symbolizes one year of victory for the Nigerien people in their struggle to expel French colonialist forces,” Seydou declared. The withdrawal of the last French troops on December 23, 2023, marked the end of…

Mozambique’s President-Elect, Daniel Chapo, has announced plans for a national reconciliation dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s ongoing political crisis and rebuilding investor confidence. The unrest follows violent protests that erupted after the contentious October 9 elections. On Monday, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council declared Chapo the election winner with 65% of the vote, sparking renewed unrest in several regions. Dozens of lives have already been lost in the conflict. Chapo, a 47-year-old lawyer and former provincial governor, is scheduled to take office on January 15. In an interview after his victory was confirmed, Chapo unveiled his initiative for dialogue, which seeks…

Mayotte joined France in solemn reflection Monday as the nation observed a day of mourning for the victims of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the island earlier this month. Flags flew at half-staff across Mayotte and mainland France, while a nationwide minute of silence at 10 a.m. GMT honored those lost in the catastrophe. President Emmanuel Macron led the tribute at the Élysée Palace, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, as the poignant strains of “The Last Post” resonated. In Mayotte, local leaders and residents held their own moments of remembrance, deeply aware of the cyclone’s lasting impact. Prime Minister François…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on the international community to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, describing it as a “catastrophe” that cannot be ignored. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting focused on the conflict, Blinken highlighted daily reports of “new atrocities,” including attacks on hospitals, markets, and camps for displaced persons. He announced an additional $200 million in U.S. funding to support those affected by the conflict. Edem Wosornu, a senior official from the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, echoed Blinken’s concerns, calling the situation a “crisis of staggering scale and…

Mauritian Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam received congratulations from U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on December 23, 2024, following his recent election victory. During their conversation, both leaders emphasized the importance of deepening security cooperation between Mauritius and the United States in the Indian Ocean region. Prime Minister Ramgoolam expressed his commitment to strengthening the economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Secretary Blinken conveyed the U.S.’s eagerness to build a robust and enduring partnership with Mauritius under its new government.

Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) commander General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has reignited controversy by renewing threats to invade Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. This comes just hours after Sudan acknowledged receiving an official apology from Uganda for his earlier remarks. The Sudanese government had previously demanded an apology over what it termed “irresponsible and reckless” comments made by Gen. Muhoozi on the X platform (formerly Twitter), where he claimed he could seize Khartoum following the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Sudan’s foreign ministry condemned the remarks, calling them a “complete departure from the expected conduct of high-ranking officials and military personnel.” In…