Author: WAJ Editor

South Sudan announced on Friday that it would lift a controversial ban on social media platforms TikTok and Facebook, following widespread public backlash and concerns raised by human rights groups. The government had imposed the 30-day ban earlier this week, citing the spread of graphic videos showing South Sudanese citizens being killed in neighboring Sudan, which had triggered riots. “Our aim was to target those distributing harmful content, not to shut down all of social media,” said Napoleon Adok, director-general of the National Communication Authority. “We have listened to the concerns of citizens and human rights groups and reversed the…

Nine UN peacekeepers were injured during ongoing clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a UN official, highlighting the escalating violence in the region. The UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) reported heavy fighting for control of the town of Sake. “MONUSCO is conducting joint patrols with the Congolese armed forces and supporting their deployments to mitigate threats to civilians,” said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq on Friday. The injured peacekeepers are receiving medical treatment. Since MONUSCO’s withdrawal from South Kivu in June 2024, peacekeepers have concentrated on key positions in North Kivu, including Goma and…

Morocco’s national water and electricity utility, ONEE, has announced plans to construct a 990MW gas-fired power plant in the north of the country at an estimated cost of $420 million. According to documents published by the bourse regulator AMMC, ONEE will finance 20% of the project, with the remaining 80% sourced through loans from Morocco’s largest banks, Attijariwafa Bank and Bank of Africa, as well as funding from securitization funds FT Nord Energy and FT Flexenergy. The facility, which will include two open-cycle gas turbines (OCGT) and diesel as a backup fuel, will be located at the Alwahda site, near…

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed an executive order aimed at protecting the citizenship rights of Ugandans, addressing complaints about the administrative handling of passport applications and other identity documents. The President emphasized that under Chapter 3 of the 1995 Constitution, citizenship is defined in three categories: by birth, registration, and naturalization. He noted that the issue lies not with the law but with how it is applied by immigration authorities. The directive comes after repeated grievances from Ugandans of the Banyarwanda tribe, who alleged human rights violations and denial of passports and national identity cards despite being citizens. In…

Prominent Tunisian journalist Mohamed Boughalleb has been held in arbitrary detention since his arrest on 22 March 2024 by security forces, following a complaint from a senior Ministry of Religious Affairs official. The complaint stemmed from Boughalleb’s public comments on social media and appearances on TV and radio, where he questioned the ministry’s spending. Boughalleb was subsequently convicted of defamation and sentenced to eight months in prison. In addition, he remains in pre-trial detention for a separate case under Decree-Law 2022-54 on Cybercrimes, also related to his public statements. Human rights groups have expressed concern over the journalist’s health, which…

The Cameroonian jazz ensemble Jazzstellation delivered a spellbinding performance at the 10th edition of the Journées Musicales de Carthage in Tunis, captivating audiences with their innovative blend of traditional Cameroonian music and jazz. The five-member group, named to reflect the idea of individual stars in a “constellation,” is driven by their shared passion for jazz. Their project, Kamer Standards, reinterprets Cameroon’s cultural heritage songs through the universal language of jazz, creating a unique and timeless musical experience. Led by the talented vocalist Gaëlle Wondje, the group draws inspiration from their roots. “I grew up with Cameroonian music. My father, a…

Bernadino Rafael, Mozambique’s police chief since 2017, has been dismissed by the country’s new president, Daniel Chapo, amid allegations of human rights abuses during and after the disputed October elections. Rafael has faced accusations from opposition figures of collaborating with criminal groups to kidnap and kill civilian protesters. He denies the claims, stating that those killed were either attacking police or caught in stray gunfire. President Chapo, who took office last week, announced Rafael’s dismissal on Thursday, marking the first major security reform of his presidency. The move comes as Chapo faces mounting pressure to restore public trust and stabilize…

Rebels from the M23 group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, have killed North Kivu’s military governor, Peter Cirimwami, as clashes escalate in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to reports. Governor Cirimwami was fatally wounded on Thursday while visiting the frontlines, based on United Nations documents. The M23 has been battling DR Congo’s army since early this year, gaining control over vast swathes of territory. Local leaders reported that more than 200 civilians have been killed in areas under M23 control. The group’s resurgence has further destabilized the region, already plagued by violence and a humanitarian crisis.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a contentious bill that permits the state to seize land without compensation under specific conditions, a decision that has sparked both praise and legal threats. The new legislation aims to accelerate land reform in a country where, over three decades after the end of apartheid, the majority of farmland remains in the hands of the white minority, leaving Black South Africans with only a small share. The slow pace of redistribution has fueled frustration and anger. While the ruling African National Congress (ANC) heralded the law as a “significant milestone” in…

The International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Sierra Leonean government, has launched the READY Salone project to empower 3,000 youth with digital skills and opportunities over the next four years. Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), READY Salone focuses on enhancing digital literacy, fostering entrepreneurship, and developing inclusive national digital strategies. The initiative also prioritizes support for young women, persons with disabilities, and 250 small and medium-sized enterprises. Key government officials, including Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, attended the launch event, alongside over 100 business and tech stakeholders. The project will also run awareness campaigns…

A federal court in Nigeria has officially designated the Lakurawa group as a terrorist organization, granting the military authority to take decisive action against the group, which has become an increasing threat to security in the country’s northwest. The ruling, issued on Thursday by Judge James Omotosho, prohibits any involvement with the group. Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi confirmed the decision in a statement released Friday. The Lakurawa group, primarily active in Kebbi and Sokoto states, emerged from herding communities near the Nigeria-Niger border following Niger’s July 2023 coup. Members of the group have since turned to militancy, further destabilizing the…

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has cut short his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos to address the worsening conflict in the country’s eastern region. Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has intensified in recent weeks. The rebels have captured key towns, including Masisi and Minova in North Kivu, displacing more than 400,000 people since the start of the year, according to the United Nations. The M23 rebels are advancing towards Goma, a city of over a million residents near the Rwandan border. The fall of…

African and global leaders will gather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, next week to launch Mission 300 (M300), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. The project, spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group, represents an unprecedented partnership with global stakeholders. It seeks to bridge Africa’s energy gap by combining innovative technology, financing solutions, and strategic reforms. With nearly 600 million Africans still without electricity—83% of the world’s energy-deprived population—Mission 300 aims to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access. The initiative aligns with broader goals to support industrial…

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed grave concern over escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning of severe consequences for civilians and displaced communities. UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh revealed at a press briefing in Geneva on Friday that the number of people displaced this year has exceeded 400,000—a figure nearly double that of the previous week. Clashes in the conflict-ridden provinces of South and North Kivu have exacerbated conditions for the 4.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) already living in the region. “Human rights violations, including looting, injuries, murders, kidnappings, and arbitrary arrests of displaced…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Thursday that Türkiye is prepared to offer any assistance required to help resolve the dispute between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, provided both nations are open to such support. “Türkiye stands ready to extend any necessary support to address this issue, which would promote stability and peace in the Great Lakes Region, should both parties seek it,” Erdogan said during a joint press conference with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Ankara. Tensions in the region have persisted due to the M23 rebellion in eastern Congo, which began in 2022. While Kigali…

Sierra Leone’s new national airline, Air Sierra Leone, has officially expanded its operations across Africa by introducing flights between Sierra Leone and Lagos, Nigeria. The airline inaugurated its Lagos route on Wednesday and announced plans to operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. During a ceremony at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Air Sierra Leone’s General Manager, Edgard Lacle, revealed that the airline would be using the E145 aircraft, which has a capacity of approximately 50 passengers. Lacle noted that 36 passengers were on board the inaugural flight and expressed optimism about achieving high passenger demand on the…