Author: WAJ Editor

Mozambique’s military has launched an operation in the country’s northern region following a recent attack blamed on insurgents, in which three people were reportedly beheaded. The Mozambique Defence Force confirmed on Thursday that troops, supported by Rwandan forces, have been mobilized to track and neutralize the militants responsible for the attack, which took place over the weekend at an artisanal gold mine in Meluco district, Cabo Delgado province. The attackers allegedly demanded money from other miners in exchange for their lives. Cabo Delgado, a resource-rich province home to vast offshore natural gas reserves, has been plagued by militant violence since…

Zimbabwe is actively identifying and preparing to sell several state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to help manage its escalating public debt, which has now surpassed US$21 billion. This debt, representing nearly 90% of the country’s GDP, is hindering economic development and threatening fiscal stability. Key creditors include the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and both Paris and non-Paris Club members. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, speaking at the launch of the National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe (NVCCZ), stated that the government is evaluating assets for potential sale to address the mounting debt. He expressed concern that Zimbabwe’s economic growth rate…

South Africa’s energy regulator, Nersa, has approved a 12.7% tariff hike for Eskom in the 2025/26 financial year, significantly lower than the 36% increase the debt-stricken state power utility had requested. Eskom had also sought additional increases of 12% in 2026 and 9% in 2027, but these proposals faced opposition from political parties and consumers, who cited the struggling economy and cost-of-living challenges. The decision by Nersa denies Eskom the substantial revenue it sought to cover expenses related to coal contracts, a rising carbon tax, and growing municipal debts. However, Nersa approved more modest increases for the following two years,…

The World Food Program (WFP) raised alarms on Thursday over the worsening food crisis in Sudan, highlighting how ongoing armed conflict is obstructing food aid operations and exacerbating hunger in the country. Although the WFP has launched a large-scale operation aimed at assisting up to 7 million people, efforts are being severely hindered, especially in areas hardest hit by famine. Alex Marianelli, the WFP’s acting country director for Sudan, emphasized the challenges of reaching vulnerable communities despite recent successes in delivering aid. “We cannot afford to treat these breakthroughs as isolated incidents,” Marianelli said. A significant issue has been the…

Algerian Parliament Speaker Ibrahim Boughali has called for the passage of a law to criminalize French colonialism, citing rising tensions between Algeria and France. In an interview with Echorouk TV, Boughali condemned what he described as “repeated French attacks” aimed at tarnishing Algeria’s reputation and stated that it was time for the draft law to be formally presented. “The time has come to put the draft law criminalizing colonialism on the table so that it takes its natural course,” he said, referring to France’s ongoing criticism of Algeria. This marks the first time a senior Algerian official has publicly supported…

Morocco has halted imports of feed grains from Germany following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, according to Omar Yacoubi, head of Morocco’s grain trade federation (FNCL). The suspension applies to all untreated plant-based feed intended for animal consumption from Germany. The Moroccan food safety agency, ONSSA, confirmed that plant-based feed imports from Germany will remain suspended until the country is declared free of the disease, or specific regions are certified as disease-free. Germany reported its first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in nearly 40 years on January 10, in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg. This has prompted several countries, including…

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised alarms over the escalating displacement crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where armed conflict has surged in recent days. Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa CDC, highlighted the urgent need to address the situation, stating that the displacement in Goma poses a significant challenge to both national and regional health security. He emphasized the importance of maintaining calm in the area to ensure the resumption of essential health services, disease surveillance, and vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations. Africa CDC has deployed 200 staff members…

The head of Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority announced on Thursday that conditions in the Red Sea are now favorable for the resumption of maritime navigation following a ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking at a meeting with major international shipping companies in Ismailia, Osama Rabie noted that recent developments have brought signs of stability, allowing for the gradual return of shipping operations in the region. Tensions in the Red Sea had escalated during the Gaza conflict, with Yemen’s Houthi group launching attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in response to Israel’s military actions. However, a ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, has…

France has officially ended its military presence in Chad, vacating its last remaining base in the capital, N’Djamena, a day before the deadline set by Chadian authorities. The withdrawal from the Sergent Adji Kossei base marks the final phase of France’s departure from the Central African nation, the Chadian armed forces confirmed in a statement. This follows Chad’s decision in November to terminate its long-standing military cooperation agreement with France. France began its troop withdrawal earlier this month, with around 100 soldiers leaving the Abeche base in eastern Chad on January 11. The Chadian government had given France six weeks…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned Rwanda that any attack on South African troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) would be considered an act of war. The warning was relayed by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga during a cabinet lekgotla on Wednesday. Ramaphosa’s office confirmed that he had spoken with Rwandan President Paul Kagame earlier in the week, stressing the urgency of a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks. Tensions have escalated following the deaths of 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in clashes with M23 rebels near Goma. The troops, deployed as…

Nigeria’s main labour union, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has rejected the government’s approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs and announced a nationwide protest set for February 4. The tariff hike, the first in over a decade, was approved by the telecom regulator last week, citing rising operational costs due to high inflation and currency devaluation. However, NLC leaders have condemned the move as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” arguing that it worsens the already severe cost-of-living crisis caused by President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the planned protest is a warning against imposing additional…

Interpol has announced the arrest of 45 individuals across West Africa in a three-month operation targeting drug trafficking and terrorism financing. Among those detained was a suspected member of the Islamic State apprehended near the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso border, as well as a North African individual believed to be attempting to travel through Europe to join Daesh in Syria. The operation also led to the seizure of significant drug hauls, including cocaine valued at over $50 million in Cabo Verde and 10 tonnes of amphetamines in Burkina Faso. “This marks a crucial step in dismantling transnational crime networks that threaten regional…

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels tighten their grip on Goma, an official from the presidency confirmed on Thursday. Giscard Kusema, Deputy Director of Press for President Felix Tshisekedi, stated that Barrot was set to meet the Congolese leader shortly after his arrival. A French diplomat also confirmed the minister’s landing, which comes amid the most significant escalation in the eastern conflict since 2012. France’s foreign ministry has not commented on the visit, but Barrot told parliament on Wednesday that a diplomatic solution was necessary and that…

Kenyan President William Ruto has commended the country’s diaspora for their significant financial contributions, revealing that Kenyans abroad remitted $4.94 billion to the national economy in 2024. Speaking during a meeting with Kenyan expatriates in Cairo, Egypt, President Ruto acknowledged their role as the country’s leading source of foreign exchange. He emphasized that their knowledge, skills, and expertise make them one of Kenya’s greatest assets. “Kenyans across the world are known for their hard work and innovation, which explains the high demand for their services globally,” Ruto remarked. The president’s visit to Egypt included high-level discussions with his Egyptian counterpart,…

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi has vowed a forceful military response to M23 rebels, accusing Rwanda of supporting the armed group. In a televised address, he condemned both the international and African communities for their silence on the escalating border conflict. Tshisekedi described the security situation in eastern DRC as unprecedented, alleging that the Rwandan defense forces are backing M23 rebels in committing “terrorist acts” against Congolese civilians. Recent clashes have left at least 25 people dead in Goma, nine in Rwanda, and hundreds injured, with 17 peacekeepers also killed. The president reaffirmed the Congolese…

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges of inciting violence during the deadly 2021 riots that left over 300 people dead. Prosecutors accuse Zuma-Sambudla of using social media to encourage unrest in July 2021 after her father was jailed for defying a court order to testify in a corruption inquiry. What started as protests against Zuma’s imprisonment escalated into widespread looting, destruction of infrastructure, and an estimated 50 billion rand ($2.7 billion) in financial losses. Accompanied by her father in court, Zuma-Sambudla pleaded not guilty and was released on a…