Author: WAJ Editor

Somalia has assumed the chairmanship of the East African Standby Force (EASF), marking a historic milestone as the country leads the regional security organization for the first time since its establishment in 2005. The transition took place during the 33rd Annual Policy-Making Conference of EASF Heads of State in Kigali, Rwanda. Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Nur, received the EASF flag from his Rwandan counterpart, Juvenal Marizamunda, symbolizing the handover of leadership. About the EASF The East African Standby Force is one of five regional components of the African Standby Force (ASF), encompassing military, police, and civilian elements. It was created…

The number of fatalities caused by Cyclone Chido, a powerful storm that hit northern Mozambique last weekend, has risen to 94, with 768 people reported injured, according to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD). Cyclone Chido made landfall on December 15, bringing heavy rains and fierce winds that left a trail of destruction across Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. The disaster has impacted over 622,000 people, representing more than 123,000 families, and damaged or destroyed over 140,000 homes, the INGD reported. Public infrastructure also suffered heavily, with damage reported to 250 schools, 89 public buildings,…

France has started withdrawing its military personnel from Chad, following the country’s decision last month to end a longstanding defense agreement with Paris. According to Chad’s defense ministry, 120 French soldiers departed from a military airport in the capital, N’Djamena, on Friday, marking the beginning of the troop pullout. This comes 10 days after French fighter jets left Chad. Chad had been a key partner in France’s military presence in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, which had been impacted by a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, forcing the withdrawal of French forces from those…

West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, has approved an exit timeline for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, following nearly a year of mediation efforts to prevent the disintegration of the 15-nation grouping. In a historic move, the military juntas of these three nations announced in January their decision to leave ECOWAS, citing the bloc’s “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions related to the coups and its failure to address their internal security crises. Security consultant Patrick Agbambu stated that while threats and ultimatums are unlikely to reverse their decisions, dialogue and compromise are essential. He emphasized that these countries are vital to the…

More than 40 million people in West and Central Africa are struggling with hunger, a number expected to rise to 52 million by mid-2025, according to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). In a report released on Friday, the WFP revealed that 3.4 million individuals are currently experiencing “emergency levels of hunger,” marking a 70% increase since the summer. The report identifies conflict, displacement, economic instability, and severe climate shocks as the main contributors to the region’s food insecurity. Ongoing violence in the Sahel and Sudanese civil war have displaced over 10 million people, while massive flooding in Nigeria…

Access Health International, a global nonprofit organization, has announced plans to enhance investment in Egypt’s healthcare system and promote the country’s health sector internationally. The announcement was made during a meeting between Krishna Reddy, CEO of Access Health International, and Hossam Heiba, CEO of Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), according to a statement released on Thursday. The discussions focused on attracting new investments to Egypt’s healthcare sector, with particular emphasis on the country’s potential in medical tourism. Both parties agreed to utilize Access Health’s global network of over 100 partners to support investment in various healthcare…

The UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Siobhán Mullally, has called on the Liberian government to intensify efforts to combat human trafficking, with a focus on protecting victims and addressing systemic challenges. During a 10-day visit to Liberia, Mullally emphasized the need for stronger support mechanisms for trafficking victims, including safe homes, emergency shelters, and long-term assistance, particularly in rural areas and at border crossings. She urged the government to allocate more resources and funding to anti-trafficking initiatives and stressed the importance of eliminating corruption to enhance law enforcement capabilities. Mullally highlighted the vulnerabilities of young girls from rural…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved €28 million in funding to construct solar power plants in Gassi and Lamadji, Chad. This initiative, part of the Bank’s “Desert to Power” program, aims to enhance energy access across Africa. The financing package includes €20 million in direct support, combining a loan and grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, and €8 million in financial guarantees from the African Development Fund and Green Climate Fund. These guarantees will support Chad’s transition to clean energy from costly and polluting fuel-based power. The project will establish two solar plants on the outskirts of…

The ongoing conflict in Sudan’s North Darfur state has claimed the lives of more than 700 people in al-Fashir since May, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. In a statement issued on Friday, Türk called on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to end their siege of the city, describing the situation as “devastating lives every day on a massive scale.” The UN’s human rights office documented at least 782 civilian deaths and over 1,143 injuries in the area since May. The casualties are attributed to relentless shelling by the RSF in densely populated…

Zambia’s security forces, including the Police Service, Department of Immigration, and the Anti-Terrorism Unit, have foiled an alleged scheme targeting President Hakainde Hichilema. Two suspects, 42-year-old Mozambican national Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and 43-year-old Leonard Phiri from Sinda District, were arrested in Lusaka. Authorities seized charms, including a live chameleon, as part of the investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the suspects, believed to be practicing witchdoctors, were hired by Nelson Banda, the brother of fugitive Emmanuel Jay Banda. The plot allegedly involved using witchcraft to harm the President, with an initial payment of K16,500 made from a promised K30,000 fee. The suspects…

The UK and Mauritius have reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing a treaty on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, aiming to conclude negotiations “as quickly as possible.” In a joint statement on Friday, both nations described their discussions as “productive and ongoing,” emphasizing a shared goal of ensuring Mauritius’s sovereignty over the archipelago while maintaining the secure operation of the strategic UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The talks come after newly elected Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam rejected an earlier draft agreement negotiated under his predecessor, citing insufficient benefits for Mauritius. Ramgoolam confirmed that his administration has proposed revisions,…

The Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) officially dedicated the rehabilitated Caldwell Booster Station on Thursday, a key initiative to improve access to clean and safe drinking water for residents of Monrovia and its surrounding areas. The project, which was a top priority for the current LWSC administration, is expected to significantly enhance water supply across central Monrovia, Bushrod Island, and neighboring communities. During the ceremony, Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon commended LWSC Managing Director Mo Ali for his leadership, lauding him as the “Best Public Corporation Official of the Year” for his dedication to revitalizing the corporation. LWSC Managing…

Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba participated in a public Q&A session as part of the Tripoli Media Days, tackling topics ranging from foreign interference to domestic governance. Aldabaiba criticized the presence of foreign forces in Libya, emphasizing the country’s refusal to become a battleground for international conflicts. He disclosed that Libya had engaged Russia over allegations of arms transfers from Syria and expressed concerns about recent Russian actions in Libya. Developments in Libya The PM highlighted irregularities in eastern Libya’s construction projects, noting they bypass oversight agencies. Aldabaiba stressed the importance of regulatory compliance in state projects and criticized…

A shipment of 11,200 doses of the Mpox vaccine, donated by the United States and facilitated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is set to arrive in Abuja, Nigeria, today. This delivery is part of a larger agreement signed in November by Gavi to facilitate the donation of 305,000 Mpox vaccine doses to bolster global and regional responses to the outbreak. According to Gavi’s announcement, the vaccines are targeted at countries experiencing a surge in Mpox cases, which remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. To date, Gavi’s support for the Mpox outbreak has included emergency funding for the Democratic…

South African businesses and consumers are set to reap significant benefits from rapid advancements in digital technology, with innovations such as 5.5G, 6G, satellite technology, IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, and smart devices promising transformative experiences. Among these developments, devices featuring holographic displays, allowing users to interact with 3D images without the need for glasses, stand out as groundbreaking. The evolution of mobile connectivity, from the first SMS in the 1990s to the advent of 5G, has revolutionized communication and accessibility. Looking ahead, these upcoming technologies aim not only to increase speed and reduce latency but also to deliver enriched,…

The Speaker of Liberia’s House of Representatives, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has denied any involvement in the fire that engulfed the country’s Capitol building. The blaze, which erupted early Wednesday, caused significant damage but left the building empty at the time. Authorities have since launched an investigation and announced a $5,000 reward for information about the incident. Speaker Koffa, along with three others, including Representative Frank Saah Foko, was questioned by police following the fire. However, Koffa stated that his appearance at the police station was voluntary and not due to a summons. The fire occurred a day after protests over…