Author: WAJ Team

Egypt and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing agricultural cooperation, focusing on food security and sustainable farming solutions, in a move that underscores growing South-South collaboration. Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, hosted Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Mansurbek Kilichev, for high-level talks in Cairo, where both sides explored deepening bilateral ties in agricultural development. Farouk spoke of the long-standing relationship between the two countries, noting that Egypt stands ready to provide full technical assistance and expertise to support mutual efforts. He pointed to Egypt’s extensive experience in modern agricultural practices, including scientific research and advanced technology…

The inaugural International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) kicked off on Monday in Rwanda’s capital, bringing together continental leaders, security experts, and policymakers to address Africa’s pressing security challenges. In his opening address, President Paul Kagame described the event as “long overdue,” urging African nations to take ownership of their security affairs rather than relying on external actors. He criticized the prevailing approach of outsourcing Africa’s security, which he said has repeatedly failed to deliver sustainable peace and stability. “For too long, African security has been treated as a burden for others to manage, often excluding meaningful regional input and…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Washington late Monday, launching a critical diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening economic and trade relations with the United States. The visit, which includes a scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, is focused on restoring ties that have deteriorated since Trump assumed office. Accompanied by four cabinet ministers and a special envoy to the U.S., Ramaphosa’s delegation is tasked with reshaping the bilateral agenda. According to a statement from the presidency in Pretoria, the visit aims to “reset and revitalise” relations, with a particular emphasis on economic and…

Authorities in Libya have launched an investigation after 58 unidentified bodies were discovered on Monday inside a hospital in Tripoli previously controlled by a powerful militia whose commander was killed last week. The Interior Ministry reported that the remains were uncovered in the morgue refrigerator of Abu Salim Accidents Hospital, located in the densely populated Abu Salim district. The discovery followed a formal notification from the hospital’s administration. Photographs shared by the ministry depicted the bodies—some severely decomposed and others visibly charred—laid out on metal gurneys and beds. Each was marked with a number, and the faces had been obscured.…

Botswana has officially received Gold Tier Certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), a recognition that places the country at the forefront of global efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The announcement was made on Monday by Botswana’s Ministry of Health, marking a historic achievement in the nation’s decades-long battle against the virus. Health Minister Stephen Modise, speaking at a ceremony in Geneva, described the award as a powerful affirmation of Botswana’s enduring commitment to public health. “This recognition reflects the unwavering determination of our citizens, the tireless work of healthcare professionals, and the valuable support of our international…

Burkina Faso has inaugurated a national mausoleum in honour of revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara and his twelve companions, who were assassinated in a 1987 coup. The ceremony took place on Saturday at the Council of the Entente in Ouagadougou—the same site where the assassinations occurred nearly four decades ago. The event brought together dignitaries from across the region, including the prime ministers of Senegal and Chad, security ministers from Mali and Niger, and a delegation from Ghana, underscoring Sankara’s lasting influence across the African continent. Held on May 17, the commemoration also marked the anniversary of Sankara’s arrest in 1983,…

More than 20,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Marte, northeastern Nigeria, following a series of deadly raids by armed groups, Borno State authorities have confirmed. The fresh wave of violence has once again emptied a town that had only recently begun to rebuild after years of conflict. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum made the announcement during a visit to Marte on Sunday, just days after fighters overran a military base in the area. At least five soldiers were killed in the raid, with others still unaccounted for. “Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately,…

Egypt has successfully recovered 21 ancient artifacts that were illegally trafficked to Australia, marking a notable milestone in the country’s global efforts to protect its cultural heritage. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that the items were retrieved from an Australian auction house after coordinated action between Egypt’s diplomatic missions in Canberra and Sydney and Australian authorities. The handover coincided with the 75th anniversary of Egypt-Australia diplomatic relations — a symbolic moment that Egyptian officials say highlights the growing partnership between the two countries in confronting antiquities trafficking and preserving global heritage. In a statement, the ministry…

The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival opened this week, drawing global attention to the latest in world cinema. This year, African filmmakers and stories have gained notable prominence across the festival’s key sections, highlighting the continent’s expanding influence in the international film industry. Egyptian director Morad Mostafa’s debut feature Aisha Can’t Fly Away has been selected for the prestigious Un Certain Regard category, a section dedicated to showcasing innovative and emerging talent. The film explores the life of a South Sudanese care worker in Cairo, touching on themes of displacement and resilience. Mostafa’s lead actress, Buliana Simon, a…

The International Court of Justice will on Monday announce a verdict in a maritime territorial dispute that has strained relations between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea for over half a century. At the heart of the case are three small islands — Mbanie, Cocotier, and Conga — lying in potentially resource-rich waters off the coast of Central Africa. Though uninhabited and modest in size, the islands are located in a region believed to hold significant oil and gas reserves, making them strategically important to both countries. The roots of the disagreement date back to 1900, when France and Spain, the colonial…

Multiple violent incidents across five Nigerian states have resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people and numerous injuries, exposing the worsening security crisis that continues to challenge authorities nationwide. In Benue State’s Agatu Local Government Area, 15 traders were killed in a brutal ambush carried out by armed herders on Saturday evening. The victims were returning from Oweto market when they were attacked at the Ogwumogbio and Okpo’okpolo axis. Former local government official Anthony Ikwulono described the assault as unprovoked, attributing it to a herder who had recently returned to the area despite prior warnings to vacate. Local…

Libya’s authorities, with support from the United Nations, have formed a truce committee to shore up a fragile ceasefire in Tripoli, following recent armed clashes that left six people dead and dozens injured. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) confirmed on Sunday that the ceasefire declared on May 14 remains unstable. In response, a joint committee—led by Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Mohamed Al-Haddad—has been established to oversee the enforcement of the truce and ensure civilian safety. The committee held its first meeting this week, marking what Libyan and UN officials hope will be a step toward sustained…

Angola has made significant progress in reducing child mortality over the past few years, yet the country continues to grapple with rising levels of child malnutrition, according to the latest national health data released by the government. Speaking during the presentation of the new findings on Friday, Secretary of State for Planning Luis Epalanga reported a marked decline in both neonatal and under-five mortality rates. Neonatal deaths have fallen from 24 to 16 per 1,000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate dropped from 68 to 52 per 1,000 live births. “These results show that our investments in maternal and…

Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed 5,921 new malaria cases and eight deaths between May 5 and 11, reflecting a 12 percent drop compared to the previous week. The figures were disclosed in the country’s most recent malaria situation report, issued on Saturday. Despite the slight decline, the report indicates that malaria transmission remains active, particularly in northern and northeastern regions. These areas accounted for 71 percent of the new infections recorded during the reporting period, underscoring their continued vulnerability. Since the beginning of the outbreak in December 2024, Namibia has registered a total of 76,195 confirmed…

Togo has confirmed its first case of mpox, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene on Friday, triggering a swift public health response to prevent further transmission. The case involves a 22-year-old woman residing in the capital, Lomé. Authorities say the infection was identified and confirmed on the same day, and the patient is currently being treated at a specialized infectious disease unit. In response, the ministry has activated an emergency health plan that includes reinforced epidemiological surveillance, accelerated case detection, confirmed diagnostic procedures, and clinical care. Public sensitization campaigns are also underway to…

At least 23 people, mostly farmers and fishermen, were killed on Thursday morning in a deadly assault by suspected militants in Malam Karanti, a village in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State. Local residents and security sources confirmed the incident, which underscores a renewed wave of violence in the region. According to accounts from the village, armed men stormed the area at dawn, gathering civilians before executing them. Many of the victims were bean farmers who had gone out early to work. One elderly man was reportedly left unharmed and later raised the alarm in the community. Attempts to recover the victims’…