Author: WAJ Team

M23 rebels have pulled out of Walikale, a key town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The group says the move is a gesture of goodwill before peace talks with the Congolese government. Talks are scheduled to begin on April 9 in Doha. Since January, the M23 rebel group has taken control of several towns in eastern Congo, including two of the region’s biggest cities. The offensive has caused widespread suffering. Thousands have died, and more than a million people have been forced from their homes. Walikale sits on a main road linking four eastern provinces. It is also rich…

South Africa has made strong progress in its G20 presidency, just four months in. The country has set up 15 working groups to tackle key global issues. These efforts show South Africa’s push to promote teamwork between nations and find real solutions to today’s major challenges. The focus areas include corruption, climate change, education, women’s rights, development, and public health. A Roadmap for Global Solutions At the second G20 Sherpa meeting, held virtually on Thursday and Friday, South Africa’s G20 Sherpa Zane Dangor shared updates on the country’s efforts. He said South Africa’s progress depends on the shared support of…

A measles outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is raising serious concern among health officials. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reports over 12,000 infections and at least 180 deaths, mostly in North and South Kivu provinces. These regions continue to suffer from conflict and instability. Ongoing violence has made it difficult for health workers to deliver vaccines and respond effectively. “If our leaders can guarantee safety, I will personally go to the area to deliver medicines and vaccines,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, during a virtual media briefing on…

The Ivorian government has raised the mid-season farmgate price for cocoa beans to 2,200 CFA francs (3.63 U.S. dollars) per kilogram. The price hike took effect as the mid-season began on Wednesday, aiming to help farmers benefit from rising global cocoa prices. Cote d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, has two annual harvests. The main season runs from October to March, while the mid-season lasts from April to September. Typically, mid-season prices are lower due to drier conditions that cause cocoa beans to shrink, reducing their value. In October, the government set the main season price at 1,800 CFA francs…

Senegal’s parliament voted Wednesday to revise a controversial amnesty law, clearing the way for prosecutions over killings and abuses during protests between 2021 and 2024. The changes follow public demands for justice after at least 65 people died in clashes linked to political unrest. Lawmakers passed the original law in March 2024 under former President Macky Sall. It protected both protesters and security forces from legal action for acts during protests sparked by fears Sall was trying to stay in power beyond his term—a claim he denied. Most deaths occurred when security forces fired live bullets at crowds, according to…

Sierra Leone has launched a vaccination campaign to protect frontline healthcare workers, high-risk individuals, and children aged 12 and above from mpox. The country secured 61,300 doses through the World Health Organization (WHO) and its development partners. Amanda Clemens, social mobilization coordinator for the Ministry of Health, highlighted the goal of the initiative. “We aim to safeguard healthcare workers and vulnerable groups through proactive vaccination,” she said. The first phase began in the Western Area and will gradually expand to other regions. At the launch event, over 100 healthcare workers from 34 military hospitals—where mpox cases are diagnosed and treated—received…

South Africa has urged the United States to renegotiate trade terms after Washington imposed new tariffs on its exports. The government warns that the move could hurt key industries, especially the automotive sector. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced global reciprocal tariffs. South African goods now face a 30/percent duty. A separate 25/percent tariff on vehicles and auto parts will take effect on Thursday. With South Africa exporting over $2 billion worth of these products annually, the new levies could have a major impact. “The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial trade agreement…

Algeria has urgently called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to tackle the intensifying conflict in Palestine. The request, submitted on Wednesday, comes as violence spreads across the occupied territories, with the session scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Tensions Rise in Gaza and the West Bank Violence in Gaza has worsened over the past month. The region faces a prolonged siege and ongoing attacks. Humanitarian workers have also been caught in the conflict. Recently, authorities discovered 15 bodies of emergency personnel. These workers belonged to various humanitarian groups. Meanwhile, settler violence has increased in the West Bank.…

Angola requires $240 million to remove nearly 1,000 remaining minefields from its civil war, which ended in 2002. These landmines continue to pose a serious threat, causing injuries, disabilities, and forcing many from their homes, according to the National Mine Action Agency. Brigadier General Leonardo Sapalo, head of the agency, stated that approximately 975 minefields still need to be cleared. The demining process costs around $3.10 per square meter, bringing the total funding requirement to $240 million. A significant portion of these minefields—192 in total—are near the Benguela Railway. This railway is a key part of the Lobito Corridor, a…

Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, is rich in natural resources and cultural diversity. Despite its history of political instability and economic challenges, Chad is gradually carving a path toward development, supported by its vast oil reserves and growing agricultural sector. With ongoing infrastructure projects and government efforts to diversify the economy, Chad holds significant potential for future growth. However, the country faces persistent challenges related to poverty, security, and access to basic services. This article delves into Chad’s economy, daily life, and safety landscape, offering valuable insights for investors, expatriates, and tourists alike. Chad’s Economy: Potential, Obstacles, and…

Uganda has launched a nationwide malaria vaccination campaign to immunize 1.1 million children under two. This initiative marks a major step in reducing malaria-related deaths and hospitalizations across the country. Vaccination Targets High-Risk Areas The campaign was officially launched at Booma Grounds in Apac district, an area heavily affected by malaria. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja led the event, emphasizing the importance of protecting children’s health and reducing the disease’s burden. The program, operating under the theme “Vaccinate Against Malaria and Other Preventable Diseases, Protect Your Child for Life,” will cover 105 districts with high malaria transmission rates. Infants between six…

South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have formally urged National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to halt a parliamentary session scheduled for Wednesday, aiming to stop lawmakers from advancing the national budget approval process. The opposition party alleges procedural irregularities during Tuesday’s finance committee deliberations, where the fiscal framework gained provisional approval despite concerns over revenue policies. In a letter to Didiza, the EFF argued the committee’s process was “legally precarious” and demanded the withdrawal of its endorsed report. The party threatened to pursue court intervention, including an emergency injunction, if the Wednesday vote proceeds. “Failure to address these violations will…

Gabon’s transitional leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, is running for president, leveraging his anti-corruption efforts and position of power ahead of the April 12 election. Nguema, 50, took control in August 2023 after ousting President Ali Bongo, his distant cousin, in a military coup. His rise to power was part of a series of coups that have reshaped West and Central Africa since 2020. He initially promised a return to civilian rule but later declared his candidacy. Now, he is the leading contender in an eight-candidate race. His main rival is Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under…

Niger’s military government has released about 50 detainees, including former ministers, a diplomat, a journalist, and military officers linked to past coup attempts. The decision follows recommendations from the National Forum for Reconstruction. However, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum remains in custody. A statement on public television confirmed the releases, highlighting the government’s focus on national unity. Among those freed are Mahamane Sani Issoufou, former oil minister and son of ex-President Mahamadou Issoufou, as well as former defense minister Kalla Moutari, ex-finance minister Ahmat Jidoud, and former energy minister Ibrahim Yacoubou. Political and Military Figures Freed Also released were Foumakoye Gado,…

Foreign ministers from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), made up of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, will travel to Moscow for a two-day visit starting April 3. The regional bloc confirmed the trip on Tuesday, highlighting its importance in AES’s expanding global relations. During their stay, the ministers will attend the first AES-Russia consultations at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. An AES statement said the talks aim to strengthen bilateral relations, enhance political dialogue, and boost cooperation in diplomacy, economic development, and defense. A Strategic Shift The visit marks a key step in implementing AES’s Year…

Namibia has announced plans to restart its national airline, Air Namibia, through a public-private partnership (PPP). The government expects operations to begin by late 2026. The goal is to create a financially stable airline while avoiding past challenges that led to its closure in 2021. In a statement released Tuesday, the Namibian Presidency confirmed President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s commitment to bringing back Air Namibia. The new plan aims to align with economic priorities and reduce reliance on public funds. A Fresh Start for Air Namibia Air Namibia shut down in 2021 due to financial struggles and repeated government bailouts. The revival…