Author: WAJ Team

South Africa, under its year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), has convened a key international meeting in Somerset West, Western Cape, aimed at shaping global development priorities through a distinctly inclusive and sustainable lens. The second session of the G20’s Development Working Group (DWG) began on Monday, drawing participants from member states, invited nations, and global institutions. The three-day summit—set to close on Wednesday—centres on strengthening cooperative frameworks that address economic inequality, sustainability, and long-term resilience, especially for developing nations. According to South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the gathering is a critical platform for tackling…

Ghana has ordered all foreign actors to withdraw from its artisanal gold trading market by the end of April, marking a bold restructuring of its lucrative gold sector aimed at tightening oversight, boosting revenue, and combating widespread smuggling. In a statement released Monday, a newly established government agency known as the Gold Board—or GoldBod—announced it will now serve as the sole legal authority for buying, selling, assaying, and exporting gold from small-scale and artisanal sources. All previously held licenses by both local and foreign companies under the old export framework are now void. Under the new rules, foreign companies must…

Severe flooding has swept through multiple regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, claiming at least 72 lives and displacing over 5,000 people, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health on Monday. The capital, Kinshasa, is among the worst affected, with 11 health zones reporting widespread destruction following relentless downpours. In addition to Kinshasa’s mounting toll, eastern provinces such as Tanganyika and South Kivu have recorded extensive damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure. Local authorities are racing to assess the scale of humanitarian needs as communities remain submerged and isolated. Emergency shelters have been set up across Kinshasa,…

Hassan al-Turabi (1932–2016) remains one of the most complex and controversial figures in modern Sudanese history. A scholar, ideologue, and political strategist, he masterminded Sudan’s transformation into an Islamist state while cultivating alliances with transnational Islamic movements. His legacy is a study in contradictions: a man who championed progressive interpretations of Islam yet oversaw a regime marked by brutality, and an intellectual who advocated democracy while engineering authoritarian rule. This article traces al-Turabi’s life, ideology, and enduring impact on Sudan and the broader Muslim world. Early Life and Intellectual Formation Born on 1 February 1932 in Kassala, eastern Sudan, Hassan…

A South African court has begun proceedings to revisit the circumstances surrounding the 1967 death of Chief Albert Luthuli, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former leader of the banned African National Congress (ANC), following longstanding calls from his family and activists who have questioned the official account. The move comes nearly sixty years after Luthuli was said to have died in an accident—allegedly struck by a train while walking along a railway line near his home in what is now KwaZulu-Natal province. The original inquest ruled out foul play, attributing no criminal responsibility to anyone involved. But the narrative…

At least eight people were confirmed dead after a commercial bus hit a landmine along the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, on Saturday morning. The explosion, which occurred in an area frequently targeted by Boko Haram militants, also left several others severely injured. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state stated that seven of the injured victims were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri and are currently in the intensive care unit, while 14 others sustained minor injuries. The state government has pledged to cover all medical expenses for those affected by the explosion. Local vigilante, who was present…

Algeria has ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, a decision linked to the recent arrest of three Algerians in France, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed on Monday. The expulsion has heightened already tense relations between the two nations. The diplomats targeted in the expulsion order include officials from France’s interior ministry, a source within the French government revealed. The move follows the indictment of three Algerian nationals in connection with the abduction of Amir Boukhors, an Algerian influencer, in a Paris suburb in April 2024. France’s Response Reacting to the expulsion order, Minister…

At least nine separatist fighters have been killed in violent clashes with government forces in Cameroon’s Northwest region, according to security sources. On Saturday, separatists launched an assault on a military outpost, but the attack was swiftly repelled by Cameroonian troops. Four separatist fighters were killed in the clash, while several others were left injured, a military official disclosed on the condition of anonymity. The day before, on Friday, government forces ambushed a group of separatists in the region, killing five fighters in the process, the same official confirmed. In response to the military’s actions, separatist leaders announced on social…

Fierce fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels reached the city of Goma over the weekend, marking the most significant escalation in the area since the rebel group captured parts of the city earlier this year. Local residents reported intense gunfire and explosions that shook the eastern Congolese city before dawn on Saturday. A statement from the Congolese government late Saturday said at least 52 people had been killed in and around Goma. The figure, however, could not be independently verified. “We were asleep when the gunshots started. It wasn’t just rifles—we heard what sounded like rocket launchers,” one resident…

Nigeria will introduce a new visa policy in August, imposing a $15 daily fine on travelers who overstay their visas, a move aimed at curbing visa abuse and enhancing immigration control. The policy, part of the broader Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, was announced by the country’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a briefing in Lagos on Friday. While the fines will officially take effect in August, Tunji-Ojo confirmed that a three-month grace period will begin in May. During this time, travelers will not face penalties for overstaying their visas, allowing them time to comply with the upcoming regulations. Once…

Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council President, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and Libya’s Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dbeibah held bilateral talks on Friday, reaffirming their commitment to deeper cooperation and regional peace. The meeting, held on the margins of the 2025 Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Türkiye, focused on expanding collaboration between the two neighbouring countries across political, economic, and security spheres. According to officials present, both leaders agreed on the need for closer coordination in addressing shared regional challenges and expressed mutual support for efforts to stabilize Sudan, which continues to grapple with internal unrest and political uncertainty. “The discussions underlined…

The 17th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) concluded today in Cape Town, bringing together legal professionals and judicial officers from around the world for four days of discussions centered on leadership and the legal response to gender-based violence. The conference, which opened on Wednesday, April 9, was held under the theme “Resilience: Women in Leadership to End Gender-Based Violence & Femicide.” It was officially inaugurated by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and hosted by the South African Chapter of the IAWJ. Participants included judges, legal scholars, and advocates who explored current legal challenges and shared…

Namibia has become the first country in Africa to open a large-scale iron production plant that runs without releasing carbon emissions. The new facility, called the HyIron Oshivela Plant, officially opened on Friday in the Erongo Region, marking a major step in Africa’s clean energy transition. The plant uses solar energy and green hydrogen instead of coal or gas to produce iron. This process cuts out carbon emissions completely, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly manufacturing on the continent. During the launch event, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah described the project as a bold move toward economic and environmental change. She…

A Ugandan court has denied bail to prominent opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his ally, Obeid Lutale, following a ruling on Friday that has sparked further concerns over political repression in the country. The court’s decision, despite the defense team’s claims that the conditions for bail had been met, was based on the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing nature of the investigation. Besigye, 68, a key figure in Uganda’s opposition, has been a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, who has governed the country for nearly 40 years. Besigye was forcibly abducted from Kenya in November 2024 and…

Egypt hosted the fifth session of the Egyptian-Hungarian Business Forum on Thursday, an event organized by the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. The gathering brought together senior government officials and business leaders from both countries, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations. The forum served as a platform to discuss new opportunities and forge partnerships across multiple sectors. Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib opened the session by emphasizing the significance of the forum in deepening cooperation between Egypt and Hungary. He described the event as a key step toward unlocking mutual investment prospects…

Gabonese citizens are set to vote in a landmark presidential election on Saturday, ending 19 months of military-led transition that began with the ousting of President Ali Bongo in August 2023. The vote is seen as a turning point for the oil-rich Central African nation, which has grappled with mounting economic pressures and demands for political reform. The election follows the abrupt end of the Bongo family’s 55-year political dynasty, after General Brice Oligui Nguema, now transitional president, led a coup citing concerns over governance and electoral integrity. Economic Realities Behind the Vote Despite its natural wealth—spanning oil, timber, and…