Author: WAJ Editor

Morocco has significantly bolstered its international engagement, having concluded nearly 7,500 international agreements to date, with around 800 focused specifically on economic cooperation. The majority of these treaties—almost two-thirds—have been signed during the reign of King Mohammed VI, Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita announced on Monday. Speaking before the House of Representatives in Rabat during an oral question session, Minister Bourita described the treaty framework as a cornerstone of Morocco’s foreign policy. He stressed that the true value of these agreements lies not only in their signing but also in their implementation, in line with the directives of the monarch.…

Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold has voiced strong opposition to a move by Mali’s ruling military government to place its flagship gold mining operations under temporary state control amid an ongoing dispute over revenue and taxation. In a statement released Monday, Barrick rejected the Malian government’s request for a court-appointed administrator to take over day-to-day operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in western Mali. The site, which is among the world’s largest gold deposits, is 80 percent owned by Barrick, with the Malian state holding the remaining 20 percent. The legal request was filed with Bamako’s commercial court on May…

An Algerian court has sentenced three former presidential hopefuls to 10 years in prison for their involvement in a major electoral fraud case involving the purchase of nomination signatures, according to a judicial source. Among those convicted are businesswoman Saida Neghza, former minister Belkacem Sahli, and lesser-known candidate Abdelhakim Hamadi. The trio was found guilty of paying to secure the required endorsements to stand in the September presidential election. The trial, which concluded on May 8 after nine days of hearings, also resulted in prison terms ranging from five to eight years for about 70 other defendants. This group included…

Kenya has reiterated its recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia as the sole legitimate authority over the entire Somali territory, while simultaneously confirming continued engagement with the regional administrations of Jubaland and Somaliland. In a statement issued on Monday by the State Department for Foreign Affairs, the Kenyan government emphasized its commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, in accordance with international and regional legal frameworks. “Kenya unequivocally recognizes the authority of the Federal Government in Mogadishu as the only legitimate body responsible for governing all regions of Somalia,” the statement said. However, Nairobi clarified that it…

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has firmly denied accusations that it failed to defend South Africa against false claims by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding alleged genocide against white Afrikaner farmers. The rebuttal follows criticism from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, who during a recent party march accused the foundation of remaining silent amid growing diplomatic tensions with Washington. Trump’s remarks, suggesting that a “white genocide” is taking place in South Africa, have sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. The EFF called on influential institutions, including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, to publicly reject the claims and defend the…

South Africa has announced plans to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States in a proposed trade agreement valued at approximately \$1 billion (R17.9 billion) annually. The move comes in the wake of tense but pivotal talks between Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump aimed at repairing strained relations and safeguarding crucial trade ties. In a column published in the Sunday Times, South African cabinet minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni revealed that, under the tentative terms of the deal, South Africa would purchase LNG from the U.S. over a 10-year period. In return, South African automotive exports—up to 40,000 vehicles…

Kenyan government has unveiled a major initiative aimed at revitalising coffee farming in Western Kenya, with a distribution of 400,000 free robusta coffee seedlings to farmers in Busia County. Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, announced the move during an engagement with local farmers at the Busia Agricultural Training Centre. He said the initiative is part of broader efforts to revive Kenya’s coffee sector, which has seen a steady decline since the 1990s. Oparanya underscored the need to restore Kenya’s global competitiveness in coffee production, citing the country’s 2024 output of 51,000 metric tonnes—far below Ethiopia’s 400,000…

The Ghanaian government has temporarily closed its embassy in Washington, D.C., following the discovery of a long-running visa fraud scheme allegedly orchestrated by a local staff member. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on Monday that Fred Kwarteng, an IT officer hired in 2017, was dismissed after an internal investigation revealed he had illegally rerouted visa and passport applicants to a private website linked to his own company. According to Ablakwa, Kwarteng and his associates charged applicants between \$29.75 and \$60 in unauthorized fees, which were deposited into his personal account. The fraudulent scheme is believed to have operated undetected…

The African Union (AU) has renewed calls for unity, justice, and development across the continent as it marked Africa Day 2025. In a statement on Sunday, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf, urged Africans to break free from the chains of conflict, underdevelopment, and war. Reflecting on Africa’s historical struggles and achievements, Youssouf emphasized the need for collective progress and bold action toward a just and prosperous future. He highlighted this year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” as a tribute to those who endured slavery and colonialism, while also asserting the right…

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has firmly dismissed recent media reports suggesting that soldiers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were forced to hand over their weapons while transiting through Rwanda. The allegations were published by City Press on Sunday, claiming that SANDF troops withdrawing from the eastern DRC were disarmed and left vulnerable during their return journey. According to the article, logistical delays had left some soldiers stranded without transport and barred from carrying firearms across borders. In response, SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala refuted the claims, emphasizing that the withdrawal process is being carried out…

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has renewed his call for deeper Pan-African unity and inclusive development as the continent commemorates Africa Freedom Day, marking 62 years since the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity. In a message shared on Sunday, President Hichilema emphasized the need for peace and cooperation across the continent, warning that instability in any part of Africa threatens progress as a whole. “We must silence the guns and invest in peace,” he stated. “Instability anywhere on the continent is instability everywhere. Africa cannot afford to be divided by conflict when the dream of unity and prosperity is…

South African opposition leader Julius Malema has pledged to continue using a controversial anti-apartheid chant that drew attention during a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The chant featured in a four-minute video presented by Trump during bilateral talks in Washington on Wednesday. The U.S. president used the footage to bolster his claims of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa. The video included several clips of Malema, donning the signature red beret of his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, chanting slogans such as “cut the throat of whiteness” and the song “Kill…

Niger has requested that Chinese oil companies reduce their expatriate workforce, particularly those who have been stationed in the country for more than four years, as part of a broader effort to gain greater control over its natural resources and boost local employment. According to official letters, Oil Minister Sahabi Oumarou instructed the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and its local refinery partner SORAZ to begin terminating the contracts of long-serving foreign employees. The directive could impact dozens of workers and further strain ties between Niamey and Beijing. While a May 21 letter to SORAZ hinted at some flexibility, allowing…

The Nigerian military announced on Friday that it had killed 16 Boko Haram militants during a nighttime operation in the northeastern state of Borno. According to a statement by army spokesperson Major Onyechi Anele, troops engaged the insurgents with sustained indirect fire around 1:00 a.m. in Damboa Local Government Area. The operation, which also involved air support, was launched after a Brigade came under attack. Anele confirmed that an ammunition depot was struck during the exchange but said the situation was swiftly contained with no further escalation. Boko Haram, a long-standing terror group based in Nigeria’s northeast, continues to pose…

A Ugandan court has denied bail to opposition figure Kizza Besigye, despite surpassing the country’s legal 180-day limit for detention without trial. Besigye, a 69-year-old veteran opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate, was abducted in Kenya last November by armed men and later appeared before a military court in Uganda on treason charges—an offense that carries a potential death sentence. Although his case was transferred to a civilian court in February after a hunger strike, lawmakers passed new legislation earlier this week allowing civilians to be tried in military courts, raising concerns over due process. In Friday’s hearing, Magistrate Esther…

The United Nations (UN) has raised alarm over escalating violence in South Sudan, warning of a worsening human rights situation marked by increased hostilities, arbitrary detentions, and growing hate speech since February. According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), at least 75 civilians have been killed in clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), along with their respective allied armed groups. Thousands have reportedly been forced to flee their homes, particularly in Upper Nile and Jonglei states. Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on all parties…