Author: WAJ Editor

Egypt’s annual consumer inflation rate fell to 12.5% in February, nearly half of January’s 23.2%, according to official data released on Monday. The decline comes as the country starts to recover from one of its worst economic crises. While inflation has been easing in recent months, experts attribute the sharp drop to a base effect. Economist Wael el-Nahas explained that inflation appears lower because it is being compared to last year’s significant price spikes, which saw inflation reach 36%. The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics reported that the monthly inflation rate slightly decreased to 1.4% in February, down…

At least 25 people lost their lives, and several others remain missing after a boat overturned in the Kwa River, near the Democratic Republic of Congo’s western Mai-Ndombe province, local media reported on Monday. Provincial government spokesperson Alexis Mputu stated that the provisional toll stood at 25 dead and 30 survivors, attributing the accident to night navigation, according to local news outlet Actualite.cd. The boat was carrying football players from Ngambomi village, who were returning from a match in Mushie town. It capsized around 11 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Sunday, about 12 kilometers (over seven miles) from Mushie port. Authorities…

Northern Mozambique was battered by heavy rains and strong winds on Monday as Cyclone Jude made landfall, marking the third cyclone to hit the region in just four months. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), the cyclone arrived with wind speeds of 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph) and gusts reaching 195 kilometers per hour before weakening into a severe tropical storm with thunderstorms. As of Monday afternoon, no casualties had been reported. Mozambique, frequently affected by tropical storms, experiences cyclone season from November to April, with around a dozen storms forming each year. In December, Cyclone Chido…

Tanzania has reported its first two cases of mpox, marking the country’s entry into the outbreak that has affected several African nations. The health ministry reported on Monday that two individuals showing symptoms were isolated and tested on Sunday. Health Minister Jenista Mhagama revealed that one of the individuals is a truck driver who recently traveled from a neighboring country to Dar es Salaam. According to a report by the African Union’s health agency, 6,034 mpox cases have been recorded across 22 countries since January, with 25 fatalities. Mpox, which belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, spreads through…

This year, Tanzania’s Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Christian observance of Lent have coincided, deepening interfaith harmony in the commercial hub of Dar es Salaam. Muslims and Christians are sharing meals and traditions, reinforcing a sense of unity and mutual respect. Fasting has become a shared experience, with Catholic and Muslim neighbors exchanging food for iftar and simple Lenten meals. “We may have different beliefs, but we all understand sacrifice and gratitude,” said Joseph Komba, a Catholic teacher. Despite rising food prices, communal generosity remains strong. Many organizations and individuals are using social media to fund and distribute…

The 29th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival (Fespaco) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, highlighted African cinema’s evolving role in shaping the continent’s identity and global narrative. Held under the theme “African Cinema and Cultural Identities,” the festival showcased 235 films from 48 countries, selected from over 1,500 submissions. Burkinabé filmmaker Dani Kouyaté won the prestigious Étalon d’Or de Yennenga for Katanga – La Danse des Scorpions, a political drama inspired by Macbeth. Chad was the festival’s guest country, with its president, Mahamat Idriss Déby, and Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, emphasizing shared cultural ties between their nations.…

Athletes from five African nations will participate in the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games, set to take place in Turin, Italy, from March 8 to 15. The event, which promotes sports inclusion for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, will feature over 1,500 participants from around the world. Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa will represent the African continent, competing in various disciplines, including speed skating, athletics, equestrian, football, swimming, and table tennis. Linet Lekanayla, Kenya’s floorball coach, expressed pride in competing at the global event, stating that it offers an opportunity to “showcase our talents on an…

Ramadan in South Africa is a time of deep spiritual reflection, community connection and cultural enrichment. Approximately 2.5% of South Africa’s population is Muslim, with the majority estimated to live in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The country’s Muslim heritage is further highlighted by the Auwal Mosque, the first and oldest mosque still standing in Cape Town, built in 1794. This mosque was founded by Muslim political exiles from Indonesia and has since become a national monument symbolising the country’s diverse cultural heritage. In addition, the Malay community has introduced the unique tradition of ‘gesang’, a form of musical…

As malaria season begins across much of Africa, Ugandan health officials have raised concerns over the impact of U.S. aid cuts on efforts to combat the disease, which remains the leading cause of death on the continent, particularly among children. The decision by the Trump administration to reduce 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts has sparked fears of a looming health crisis in some of the world’s most vulnerable areas. Disruptions to Malaria Control Programs Dr. Jimmy Opigo, head of Uganda’s malaria control program, revealed that the stop-work orders issued by USAID in January have forced his team to shift…

The Tanzanian government has defended its decision to import electricity from Ethiopia through Kenya, citing economic and technical benefits in addressing persistent power shortages in the Northern Zone. Frequent outages in the region have resulted in annual economic losses exceeding Sh32 billion. Speaking at the inauguration of a water project in Kilimanjaro, President Samia Suluhu Hassan reassured the public that the move was carefully evaluated, emphasizing that long-distance transmission from the South-Eastern region has led to significant energy losses, making local power supply unreliable. Later, Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa released a statement confirming the plan, highlighting that electricity currently supplied…

Africa and China’s growing partnership is significantly impacting global development, with China emerging as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. This cooperation, strengthened through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), is driving economic transformation, infrastructure development, and industrialization across the continent. Stephan Ndegwa assessed the global impact of China-Africa relations for Kenyan news portal the Star. Expanding Economic and Trade Relations China has invested heavily in Africa’s infrastructure over the past 25 years, building and upgrading more than 100,000 kilometers of roads and 10,000 kilometers of railways. These projects are increasing connectivity, boosting trade, and creating new economic…

African artisans are keeping the continent’s rich cultural heritage alive through traditional crafts, blending centuries-old techniques with modern artistic expressions. From wood carving and painting to street murals and textile design, artists are preserving identity while contributing to economic growth. In Gambia, sculptor Alpha Ciessey carves wooden figures of wildlife and cultural icons, a craft he learned from his siblings at a young age. His sculptures, including depictions of lions, giraffes, and the symbolic “Mama Africa,” attract tourists from around the world, supporting both his livelihood and the local economy. “Anything I can do from the woods,” he said, emphasizing…

Türkiye’s ambassador to Uganda, Fatih Ak, marked International Women’s Day by emphasizing the importance of access to essential hygiene products for women and girls in the East African nation. Speaking at a special event, Ambassador Ak highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to supporting women’s well-being, as Türkiye’s state aid agency, TIKA, donated equipment to aid the production of reusable sanitary pads. The donation, which included sewing and overlock machines, was given to Msichana Uganda, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young women. “As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we are pleased to support another impactful initiative through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination…

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced an $8 million (Sh21 billion) initiative to enhance groundwater management in Tanzania and Kenya. The project aims to conserve 400 acres of the Mount Kilimanjaro forest, a vital water source for over two million people. Speaking at the launch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Minister of Water, Jumaa Aweso, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in water resource management, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation. He highlighted the Kilimanjaro water conservation project, covering the Rombo and Hai districts, as…

The United Nations Migration Agency reported on Friday that at least two people were killed and 186 people were missing after four migrant boats capsized overnight off the coast of Yemen and Djibouti. Two boats capsized off the coast of Yemen late Thursday, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). While two crew members were rescued, 181 migrants and five Yemeni crew members are still missing. At the same time, two more boats capsized near Djibouti. According to IOM’s Yemen mission chief Abdusattor Esoev, they capsized shortly after setting sail due to strong winds. Two migrants were found dead,…

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has expressed concern over a reported outage at the Mariental Regional Hospital in the Hardap region. Executive Director Ben Nangombe condemned the incident on Wednesday after a video circulated on social media showing an unattended nursing station and patients waiting without medical attention. In an official statement, Nangombe described the situation as unacceptable and inconsistent with the ministry’s standards for healthcare delivery. He assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that appropriate action would be taken if any staff member was found to have breached regulations. According to hospital…