Author: WAJ Editor

The Country Director of Oxfam International in Nigeria, John Makina, announced that implementing a progressive wealth tax could generate over $7.5 billion annually for the country. He made this statement during the launch of two Oxfam reports in Abuja on Tuesday, which highlighted the growing wealth inequality in Nigeria. Makina emphasized the urgent need for tax reform, pointing out that while millions of Nigerians live in poverty, a small elite continues to amass wealth without contributing their fair share in taxes. He noted that the potential revenue from a wealth tax could double the government’s health budget or reduce household…

Council of State member Sam Okudzeto and Professor Stephen Adei have called for stronger measures, including advanced technologies like drones, to tackle the growing problem of illegal mining, known as galamsey, which is devastating Ghana’s rivers and forests. Their comments come amid rising public concern over the severe pollution affecting key water sources across the country. Speaking on TV3’s Agenda program on October 14, 2024, Okudzeto emphasized the failure of previous efforts to combat illegal mining, despite various interventions since 2013, such as military deployments. He noted that rivers, particularly in the Western Region like the Ankobra, remain heavily polluted.…

Months of drought in southern Africa have left over 27 million people in crisis, creating the region’s worst hunger situation in decades, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The agency warned that the situation could escalate into a “full-scale human catastrophe.” Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared national disasters due to the drought, which was triggered by the El Niño weather pattern, leading to widespread hunger. The WFP estimates that around 21 million children in the region are now malnourished as crops have failed. “This is the worst food crisis in decades,” said WFP spokesman…

A high-level Sahrawi military delegation, led by Taleb Ammi Deih, Central Director of Operations and Inspection at the Ministry of National Defense, took part in the inaugural Conference of African Defense Ministers at the invitation of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense. The conference, held at the Adwa Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, began on Tuesday and was attended by numerous African defense ministers, senior military officials, and military attachés, along with researchers in military affairs. Themed “Africa: United in Peace, Strong in Security,” the event aimed to strengthen partnerships to combat terrorism, address global and regional security threats, and foster future…

Namibia needs up to N$25 billion ($1.4 billion) over the next decade to address its water security needs, according to the country’s water minister, Calle Schlettwein. Speaking at a conference in Cairo, Schlettwein said that the semi-arid nation, home to about 3 million people, also requires N$10 billion to ensure bulk water supply through 2037, with annual operating costs expected to increase by 5% to 6%. “We are not investing enough to ensure a climate-resilient and water-secure future,” Schlettwein warned. Namibia is facing growing pressure on its water resources due to factors such as population growth, economic development, and climate…

Beninese activist Kémi Séba was arrested by French police in Paris on Monday while having lunch with a colleague, according to media reports. Séba is a prominent critic of France’s influence in French-speaking West African countries. The reason for his visit to France remains unclear, and there have been no official statements regarding his arrest. Recently, Séba was appointed as an advisor to Niger’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, who came to power following a military coup in July 2023 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Niger has since cut ties with Western countries and demanded the withdrawal of French, American, and…

Two people were killed and five others injured in Guinea over the weekend during clashes with police as villagers protested against the Chinese-owned Hongxing gold mining company, according to local media reports. Guineenews reported on Monday that around 40 people were arrested following the violent demonstration. Protesters allegedly damaged equipment and machinery at the mining site, accusing Hongxing of causing environmental damage in the area, though Anadolu has not independently confirmed these claims. Guinea, known for its rich mineral resources such as bauxite, iron ore, gold, and diamonds, has attracted numerous companies, including Chinese firms. According to the International Trade…

At the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) in May, China and Tunisia announced the establishment of a strategic partnership, aiming to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Despite relatively modest trade, with bilateral trade in 2022 totaling just $3.94 billion, this partnership offers potential for growth. China’s influence in the Maghreb has been expanding, especially with Libya, which reactivated its economic ties with China, including the first Libyan-Chinese Economic Forum. Egypt has also deepened its ties with China, celebrating a ten-year partnership and focusing on sectors like renewable energy, technology, and defense. Algeria and Morocco have both attracted significant…

Namibia and South Africa have jointly praised the recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding Western Sahara. The announcement was made during the Political, Diplomatic, and Legal Committee meeting of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission, held in Swakopmund from October 14-15. The two nations hailed the ECJ ruling as a significant victory for the people of Western Sahara in their decades-long struggle for self-determination. The ruling aligns with Namibia and South Africa’s longstanding position that “only the people of Western Sahara have the right to decide on the utilization of the resources of Western Sahara in accordance…

The Ugandan Solidarity Association with Western Sahara expressed strong approval of the European Court of Justice’s decision to annul trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco regarding Western Sahara. This ruling was based on the violation of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and their opposition, along with that of their legitimate representative, the Polisario Front. The Ugandan newspaper New Vision highlighted the association’s position, emphasizing that the recent ruling, issued in early October, aligns with previous decisions by the European General Court from 2016 to 2021, which supported the Polisario Front. These decisions affirmed that Western Sahara is…

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has approved the extension of Operation Shujaa, a joint military effort between Uganda and the DRC aimed at combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in the eastern part of the country. The decision was announced during a meeting held on Saturday at the President’s office in Kinshasa. The meeting was attended by the Ugandan Ambassador to the DRC, Mr. Farid Kaliisa; the commander of Uganda’s Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga; and top Congolese military leaders led by Gen. Christian Tshiwewe, the Chief of Staff of the Congolese army…

Liberia, Africa’s oldest independent nation, has long struggled with limited internet access, particularly in remote areas where traditional internet service providers (ISPs) fail to provide reliable connectivity. This digital divide hampers economic growth, education, and communication, leaving millions disconnected. However, the introduction of Starlink, a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, offers a potential game-changer for the country’s digital future. Starlink: A potential solution to Liberia’s internet woes With recent disruptions caused by cable cuts, the need for alternative internet solutions has become critical. Unlike traditional ISPs that rely on physical cables, Starlink uses a network of low-orbit satellites to…

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries worldwide, experts are urging Nigeria to establish a comprehensive framework to guide the ethical and responsible integration of AI into its society and economy. Health analysts emphasize that the lack of a robust governance structure poses significant risks to public interests, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and innovation. Concerns include potential threats to data security and the long-term impact on innovation without proper oversight. Ricardo Baptista Leite, president of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and CEO of HealthAI, highlighted Nigeria’s crucial role in global efforts to regulate…

Spain is pushing for the inclusion of Morocco, Algeria, and Israel, alongside other countries, in a NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in December 2024. This proposal, first reported by Europa Press, is part of Spain’s efforts to foster stronger ties between NATO and its Mediterranean partners, addressing mutual security challenges. The invitation also extends to Tunisia, Mauritania, Jordan, and Egypt. Madrid hopes to see this initiative enhancing ongoing regional dialogue and cooperation, contributing to broader stability in the Mediterranean.

The youth-driven initiative “Water from a Rock” in South Africa has been selected from over 30 submissions to address flood preparedness in vulnerable communities. This project, supported by the Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) and the Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP), highlights the role of young people in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Water from a rock: South Africa’s effort to build flood preparedness Flooding remains one of Africa’s most devastating natural disasters. The 2023 collapse of two dams in Libya led to the loss of over 11,000 lives, while floods across the continent, including in South Africa,…

The 6th African International Tea Convention, held in Kigali, Rwanda, concluded last week, offering a valuable platform for stakeholders to engage with global tea leaders and technology experts. The event emphasized the need to strengthen tea’s role in the economic development of African nations, while addressing the challenges posed by unpredictable weather and rising production costs. Participants called for the adoption of sustainable, climate-resilient practices to safeguard the industry. The convention, themed “Harmony in the Cup: Promoting Tea for People and the Planet,” focused on the growth and sustainability of the African tea sector amid various challenges and opportunities. In…