Author: WAJ Team

At least 52 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more remain missing after two passenger boats capsized on Lake Tumba in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo, officials reported on Friday. The vessels went down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday near the town of Bikoro, located roughly 128 kilometers (79 miles) from the provincial capital, Mbandaka, in Equateur province. The tragedy has prompted calls for accountability and urgent reforms to improve water transport safety in the region. Dieu Merci Akula Mboyo, a representative of the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Experts of Civil Society in Equateur, said…

Senegal has reiterated its unwavering support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a viable and lasting solution to the long-standing Western Sahara conflict. The endorsement came during a statement by Ambassador Diamane Diome, Senegal’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the ongoing session of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C24), which is being held in New York from June 9 to 20. Addressing the committee, Ambassador Diome emphasized Senegal’s consistent backing of Morocco’s autonomy proposal, describing it as a realistic and forward-looking framework for resolving the dispute. He highlighted the plan’s recognition by the United Nations Security Council,…

In a significant diplomatic move, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bintou Keita, met on Friday with leaders of the M23 rebel group in Goma, marking her first visit to the city since it was seized by the insurgents earlier this year. The high-stakes meeting centered on MONUSCO’s ongoing mandate in the volatile region, with a strong emphasis on the protection of civilians, according to a post shared by the U.N. mission on X. Keita’s discussions included Corneille Nangaa, who heads the Congo River Alliance—a political and military coalition that includes M23…

From June 19 to 21, the Atlantic port city of Essaouira will transform into a vibrant hub of rhythm and culture as it hosts the 26th edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival. Known for its deep-rooted musical traditions and cosmopolitan atmosphere, the city will welcome an eclectic lineup of global artists for three days of performances, dialogue, and cultural exploration. This year’s festival brings together 350 artists, including 40 revered Maalems (Gnaoua master musicians), across 54 performances staged throughout the city. From sprawling open-air squares and centuries-old heritage sites to intimate, enclosed venues, the concerts are designed to…

South Africa’s rand slumped in early trading on Friday, as renewed conflict in the Middle East triggered a wave of risk aversion across global markets, pushing investors toward traditional safe havens. The local currency weakened to 18.04 against the U.S. dollar by 0657 GMT, falling 1.6% from Thursday’s close. This marked a sharp reversal from its recent gains, which had been supported by easing domestic political tensions, speculation around a revised inflation target, and a rally in precious metal prices. But hopes of continued momentum were overshadowed by overnight Israeli military strikes on Iran — a development that rattled global…

Efforts to identify victims of the devastating floods that struck South Africa’s Eastern Cape province earlier this week remain ongoing, with authorities confirming that only 21 of the 78 deceased have been formally identified as of Friday. The deadly floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in the early hours of Tuesday, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, said the identification process has been significantly slowed by a lack of proper documentation among family members attempting to claim their loved ones’ bodies. “To identify the deceased, you must first…

President Bola Tinubu has firmly rejected allegations that his administration is steering Nigeria towards a one-party political structure, amid rising concerns over the defection of several opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing federal lawmakers on Democracy Day, Tinubu asserted his commitment to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, stating unequivocally: “At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria.” His remarks came as opposition leaders raised alarms over what they describe as the systematic weakening of political alternatives. In…

Chad is rapidly approaching a humanitarian tipping point, with over 1.5 million people urgently needing access to safe drinking water amid growing shortages and a massive influx of refugees fleeing conflict in neighboring Sudan. Francois Batalingaya, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad, delivered a stark warning from Geneva this week. He revealed that many vulnerable populations are surviving on just 5 liters of water per day — far below the internationally recognized minimum of 15 liters needed to maintain health and hygiene. The dire situation is worsened by overcrowded refugee camps and poor sanitation, raising fears of…

Egypt has issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s recent military action against Iran, warning that the escalation poses a serious threat to regional peace and could destabilize the broader Middle East. In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo described the June 13 airstrikes as a “flagrant breach of international law and the UN Charter.” The statement expressed Egypt’s “deep concern” over what it called a reckless act that “could ignite a wider conflict across the region.” “Military solutions will not secure peace for any country, including Israel,” the ministry stressed, urging all parties to pursue…

Nigeria is set to convene a major international summit aimed at transforming its infrastructure landscape through strengthened partnerships with the private sector. The 2025 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit, organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), will take place from June 17 to 18 in Abuja. The event will bring together senior government officials, international investors, development partners, and key private sector players for two days of in-depth engagement. Carrying the theme “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the summit is designed as a platform to explore innovative financing models, facilitate project…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has commenced the second and final stage of withdrawing its regional peacekeeping forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), signaling the conclusion of a mission aimed at stabilizing one of the most volatile regions on the continent. The phased withdrawal involves troops deployed under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), who have been operating in conflict-affected areas such as Goma and Sake. According to a statement released Thursday by the SADC secretariat, personnel and their remaining operational equipment will exit the DRC via Tanzania before…

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke on Thursday in a phone conversation centered on mounting instability across the Middle East, with a strong focus on halting the war in Gaza. According to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency, al-Sisi detailed Egypt’s mediation efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasized the need for stronger international pressure to stop the military offensive and prevent further humanitarian suffering. Al-Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, reiterating Cairo’s stance on the two-state solution and the urgency of expanding international recognition…

Governments across Africa have united in mourning after the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing all 242 passengers and crew on board. The flight was en route to London and carried passengers of various nationalities. The African Union Commission led the continent’s response, with Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf extending condolences to India and all affected nations. “We stand in solidarity with the people of India in this moment of deep sorrow,” he said in a statement from Addis Ababa, affirming the AU’s support for grieving families around…

Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1905–1993) was the first President of Côte d’Ivoire and a key architect of the nation’s independence. Originally a medical assistant and tribal chief, he rose to political prominence in the 1940s, serving in the French parliament and founding the African Agricultural Union to defend farmers’ rights. He led Ivory Coast to independence in 1960 and ruled for 33 years, overseeing an era of economic growth known as the “Ivorian Miracle.” A master of diplomacy, he maintained close ties with France, promoted regional stability, and built the world’s largest church in his hometown of Yamoussoukro. Though criticized for autocratic…

Royal Air Maroc is preparing for a significant upgrade to its fleet, with plans underway to secure a large aircraft order from Boeing and a smaller, yet strategic, deal with Airbus. This development marks a potential turning point in the airline’s procurement strategy, long dominated by its reliance on Boeing. The national carrier is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of several jets, including the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner. These additions are intended to bolster Royal Air Maroc’s existing fleet, which has traditionally comprised almost exclusively Boeing aircraft. Alongside this major order, the airline…

Liberia has launched a National Steering Committee to oversee the planning of its first-ever Annual Liberia Diaspora National Conference to be held in Washington, DC in 2025, marking a major push to reconnect with its global diaspora. The announcement, made by the Office of Diaspora Affairs under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, signals a significant step in President Joseph N. Boakai’s broader effort to include overseas Liberians in the country’s development framework. The conference will be a cornerstone event under the government’s Diaspora Strategic Plan (2024–2027), part of the wider Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Erasmus T.…