Author: WAJ Team

Sierra Leone is betting on its vast untapped mineral reserves to steer the country toward economic stability and long-term development, as the government accelerates exploration and processing initiatives aimed at reviving a sector once marred by conflict and mismanagement. The West African nation, still recovering from a legacy of war and commodity dependence, is home to some of the continent’s most coveted natural resources—ranging from high-grade iron ore and gold to world-class rutile and bauxite deposits. But much of this potential has remained underdeveloped, with artisanal miners dominating and formal investment lagging. Now, with improved political stability and rising global…

A devastating tragedy occurred near Abidjan, Ivory Coast, when a boat capsized during a church outing on a lagoon, resulting in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers. The tragic incident took place on Monday night, prompting immediate action from local authorities. Sports Minister Adje Silas Metch confirmed the disaster on Tuesday, stating that 12 bodies had been recovered from the water and were being transported to the morgue. He added that the victims were children and adolescents, with one of the deceased being a young person who was not part of the church group but had joined the boat…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Monday hosted Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe in Kigali for high-level talks focused on the deepening crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its growing implications for regional stability. The meeting, held at Village Urugwiro, brought together the two leaders to assess the state of regional peace efforts. According to the Rwandan presidency, discussions explored “progress of ongoing regional processes aimed at securing sustainable peace in the Great Lakes Region.” President Gnassingbe recently took over as the African Union’s official mediator in the DR Congo conflict, succeeding Angola’s President Joao Lourenço, now the AU…

Chinua Achebe, often referred to as the father of African literature, remains one of the continent’s most revered figures in the world of writing. A visionary whose words reshaped global narratives on colonialism, identity, and African culture, Achebe’s legacy continues to influence generations of writers and intellectuals. His works, primarily focused on the impact of British colonialism on indigenous African societies, gave a voice to a continent too often misrepresented in Western literature. Early Life and Academic Journey Born in Ogidi, southeastern Nigeria, on November 16, 1930, Achebe’s early exposure to both traditional Igbo culture and Western education would become…

In a rare and strategic show of cooperation, Egypt has welcomed Chinese fighter jets and early warning systems for the joint air exercises dubbed Eagles of Civilisation 2025, signalling a shift in Cairo’s military alignment amid growing tensions with the West. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China deployed its J-10C fighter aircraft, accompanied by the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control systems, marking the first time this high-tech fleet has operated beyond Chinese borders. The exercises come at a time when Egypt is under increased pressure from Western powers over its stance on the Gaza crisis and…

Angola’s cholera outbreak has spread to 17 out of the country’s 21 provinces, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday. Since the outbreak began in January 2025, Angola has registered over 14,000 confirmed cholera cases and 505 deaths, with young people particularly affected—half of the cases involve individuals under the age of 20. In response to the escalating crisis, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the WHO and other international partners, has launched an immediate and comprehensive response. Key measures include the deployment of rapid response teams to the most affected regions, specialized training for health personnel, and…

Minna International Airport in Nigeria’s north-central region will launch scheduled commercial passenger flights on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, ending more than four decades without regular airline service. Recently renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, the facility has undergone substantial upgrades and will begin operations through a new partnership between the Niger State government and Overland Airways Limited. The initiative is being driven by New Niger Aviation (NNA), a Special Purpose Vehicle established to revitalize the state’s aviation infrastructure. “This is more than a flight path—it’s a gateway to economic opportunity,” said Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, Chief Operating Officer of NNA.…

The remains of 4,209 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were reburied Monday at the Murambi Genocide Memorial in Southern Rwanda, as the country intensifies efforts to consolidate and protect its genocide memorial sites. The reburial, which followed the relocation of remains from Nyamigina village, marks a significant phase in Rwanda’s ongoing memorial preservation plan. Murambi now holds over 50,000 victims, making it one of the nation’s largest and most symbolic genocide remembrance sites. Government officials, survivors, and community members gathered for the ceremony, which doubled as a commemorative event. Jean Damascene Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and…

Burkina Faso has been rocked by a series of high-profile arrests within its military ranks, including the detention of key officers linked to investigations into past political unrest. Among those arrested is Frédéric Ouédraogo, the former head of the military justice battalion, who had been overseeing the inquiry into the October 2023 shooting death of Commander Ismaël Touhogobou. Touhogobou had been under suspicion for his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt, and military prosecutors had previously stated that the operation leading to his arrest “did not go as planned.” Also detained was Captain Elysée Tassembedo, the highly regarded commander…

Libya has achieved a major victory in the restoration of its cultural heritage with the successful return of a looted Ptolemaic-era statue, which had been displayed for decades at the Cleveland Museum of Art in the United States. The statue, dating back to around the 3rd century BC, is believed to have been stolen from the ancient city of Ptolemais, modern-day Tolmeitha, during World War II. The statue resurfaced in the art world years later and was eventually acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remained for a lengthy period. However, after years of effort by Libya’s Department…

Peter Turkson, a 76-year-old Ghanaian cardinal, has emerged as a leading contender for the papacy, positioning himself as a prominent candidate to become the first African pope in modern history. With his advocacy for social justice and a strong track record in the Catholic Church, Turkson’s candidacy is gaining significant attention. Currently, Turkson is widely regarded as one of the top candidates in the betting markets, with odds standing at 5:1. A veteran of the Vatican’s key positions, he is known for his tireless work on issues such as climate change, poverty, and economic justice. His advocacy for marginalized communities…

Chad’s government has reached a peace agreement with armed factions in the northern part of the country, aiming to resolve long-standing conflicts over gold resources in the region. The deal, signed on Sunday, involves two groups operating in the Miski region of Tibesti province, which lies near the Libyan border. The negotiations were led by Saleh Kebzabo, a government mediator appointed to oversee the process. The unrest between the Chadian forces and local armed groups intensified in 2019 and 2020, largely driven by competition over gold mining in the Miski area, which is known for its significant gold deposits. Under…

The prestigious Tribeca Festival in New York City has announced its 2025 lineup, featuring a remarkable array of films, documentaries, and creative works, with several African-themed projects making their way to the big stage. Among the highlights are a documentary about Nigerian music sensation Wizkid and a Kenyan drama that addresses women’s land rights. The festival, renowned for its focus on bold and diverse storytelling, will run from June 4 to June 15, 2025, showcasing a record-breaking 118 feature films selected from over 13,500 submissions worldwide. As part of the festival’s commitment to global representation, this year’s program will also…

Botswana’s political landscape experienced a historic shift in 2024 when opposition leader Duma Boko unseated President Mokgweetsi Masisi, ending the Botswana Democratic Party’s uninterrupted rule since independence in 1966. Boko’s victory, under the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), was not only a political milestone but also a statement of growing public frustration with corruption, economic inequality, and overreliance on diamond revenues. On his third presidential bid, Boko secured a decisive win, channeling voter discontent into a campaign focused on justice, inclusivity, and economic reform. The international spotlight soon followed. In April 2025, Time magazine named President Boko among its…

The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended the political party of former President Joseph Kabila and ordered the freezing of assets belonging to him and key allies, amid serious accusations of supporting the M23 rebel movement operating in the country’s troubled eastern region. In coordinated statements released by the interior and justice ministries late Saturday, authorities alleged that Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) provided backing to the M23 insurgents—an action the government equated to high treason. The justice ministry confirmed that prosecutors have been directed to begin formal legal proceedings, although no specific details of the accusations…

Morocco is fast becoming a global force in the export of fruits and vegetables, placing among the top three fastest-growing agricultural exporters worldwide, according to a new report by EastFruit. While many nations contend with worsening climate conditions, Morocco is turning adversity into opportunity. The North African nation is proving that innovation and sustainability can drive agricultural success even in the face of prolonged drought. From Survival to Strategy What sets Morocco apart is a shift in mindset—from coping with challenges to strategically overcoming them. The country’s transformation in agricultural management has been deliberate, according to Andriy Yarmak, an economist…