Author: WAJ Editor

A Benin court has sentenced digital activist Steve Amoussou to two years in prison for criticizing government officials online. The court also imposed a fine of two million CFA francs (approximately $3,500). Amoussou was convicted on charges of “politically motivated insult” and “spreading false information” against officials, despite denying all charges. He has the option to appeal the decision within 15 days. The hearing took place at the Economic Crimes and Suppression of Terrorism Court in Cotonou, which has a reputation for handing down harsh sentences for government critics. Benin’s authorities suspect Amoussou of operating an online account under the…

Tunisia is expanding its efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable development by scaling up the social and solidarity economy (SSE), where youth empowerment and institutional reform are at the core. This was the key message of the National Forum on SSE and Social Innovation, held in Tunis from 26 to 28 May 2025. Organized by the Tunisian Ministry of Economy and Planning, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union, the Forum brought together government officials, social partners, youth leaders and development actors to assess the impact and future direction of SSE. The meeting built on a decade of…

The Zimbabwe Air Force has come under increasing scrutiny after a series of alarming aviation incidents exposed deep-rooted weaknesses in the country’s military aviation infrastructure, raising national security concerns. The crisis gained renewed attention in August 2021 after a near-fatal incident occurred when President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at a farm in Sandringham, about 40 miles from Harare. A technical fault in the aircraft’s avionics, indicating a battery failure during flight, triggered the emergency landing. The president escaped unharmed, but the incident led to an overhaul of security procedures. Subsequent investigations revealed critical gaps…

Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast are optimistic about a strong mid-crop season as consistent rains continue to boost pod development in key growing regions ahead of the main harvest in August. Farmers across the country reported that the balance of rain and sunshine, combined with improved weather conditions, helped cocoa trees produce plenty of small and medium-sized pods. A strong finish is expected to the mid-crop season from April to September, coinciding with the country’s official rainy season that lasts until mid-November. “We’ve had plenty of sun and rain. It’s very good for cocoa trees,” said Julien Kouassi, a farmer…

Authorities confirmed on Saturday that Namibian businessman and philanthropist Bernd Kebbel, known for his contributions to wildlife conservation, was killed by a lioness while on safari in the remote Kunene Region. According to Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Kebbel, 59, was camping with his wife, Conny, 57, near the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp in the Sesfontein region, about 700 kilometres north of the capital Windhoek, when the incident occurred on May 31. Kebbel was reportedly attacked by a lioness after he emerged from his rooftop tent at night and was fatally bitten in the neck. His wife was…

A major militant attack on a military base in Boulkessi, central Mali, killed more than 30 Malian soldiers on Sunday, according to security sources. The attack was followed by another attack on an army camp in Timbuktu city on Monday, amid a surge in rebel violence in the Sahel region. The Timbuktu base came under fire on Monday morning after militants launched an attack that involved an explosives-laden vehicle that detonated near the camp in the city center. Heavy gunfire was heard, sending UN personnel in the area seeking shelter. Locals stated heavy fighting near both the military facility and…

Angola is set to host the 17th edition of U.S.-Africa Business Summit on June 22-25. The summit aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties with the United States. The summit, themed “Pathways to Prosperity,” is expected to draw over 3,000 government officials and business leaders. Discussions will focus on strategic sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and healthcare. The summit, organized by the Corporate Council for Africa (CCA2) in partnership with the Angolan government, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. The event aims to foster partnerships between African and American businesses and promote access to…

Sudan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Kamil Idris has dissolved the country’s interim administration, state news agency SUNA reported late Sunday. No timetable has yet been set for the formation of a new government. Kamil Idris, a former United Nations official, was sworn in on Saturday in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan at a ceremony attended by Sudanese army chief and president Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. His inauguration marks the first time Sudan has had a prime minister since a military coup in October 2021. In his opening speech on Sunday, Idris pledged to remain neutral in Sudan’s fractured political…

Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria have called on all Libyan parties to immediately cease hostilities and commit to holding presidential and parliamentary elections, as renewed tensions threaten to further destabilize the country. The call came in a joint statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry following a trilateral meeting in Cairo on Saturday. The meeting brought together Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf as part of efforts to revive a trilateral coordination mechanism focused on Libya. “Given recent developments and the security situation in Tripoli, the ministers reiterated their call…

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has confirmed the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five additional cases still under observation. In its latest daily update, the ministry reported no new infections or recoveries in the past 24 hours. The five existing cases remain active but are not considered serious. The first outbreak was detected last week in Moyale town in the Oromia region, close to the Kenyan border. The first confirmed cases involved a family of three — two parents and an infant — who tested positive after showing symptoms. The source of the infection is still under investigation.…

Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hanno has referred several high-ranking officials to the Public Prosecution following the discovery of what appeared to be unauthorized excavations at a government-run cultural facility in Luxor city of Upper Egypt, raising suspicions of illegal antiquities activity. While touring, Hanno visited the Children’s Cultural Palace in Luxor, where he found deep excavations under one of the building’s annexes. The excavation, reportedly carried out by a private contracting firm responsible for the restoration of the site, was not authorized by the relevant authorities. The Ministry of Culture stated that several officials, including the current and…

Air traffic continued at Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Monrovia, Liberia after a temporary suspension due to a landing gear failure on a jet carrying President Joseph Boakai. The incident happened on Thursday night as the president’s plane was approaching the runway on its way back from an official visit to Nigeria. According to local media, the landing gear failed to deploy properly, prompting the airport to take emergency measures. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Airport authorities quickly activated emergency protocols and the aircraft was safely removed from the runway. The Liberia Airports Authority confirmed in a statement on Friday…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in collaboration with the World Bank, has approved \$125.16 million financing to support the modernization of Tunisia’s health system. The financing highlights the growing international focus on strengthening health infrastructure in countries undergoing economic and political transitions. The financial assistance includes a \$17.16 million grant from the Pandemic Response Fund, which aims to increase Tunisia’s preparedness to deal with future health crises. The broader goal is to increase the resilience and efficiency of the national health system through a long-term structural reform plan. According to a statement from the World Bank, the project will focus…

Egypt reaffirmed its leadership in regional cybersecurity at the fourth edition of the Cyber ​​and Information Security Exhibition and Conference (CAISEC’25), held in Cairo on May 25-26. The event brought together high-level officials including nine Egyptian ministers, six heads of Arab cybersecurity authorities, more than 180 international experts and more than 5,000 participants. CAISEC’25 served as an important forum to address cybersecurity challenges facing Egypt and the wider Arab region. In his opening speech, Minister of Telecommunications Dr. Amr Talaat emphasized that cybersecurity should be addressed as a national and regional strategic priority, reflecting Egypt’s broader digital development goals. These…

The Kenya Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has issued a new directive that bans celebrities, influencers and content creators from endorsing or promoting gambling activities in the country. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce gambling addiction and protect vulnerable groups, especially the youth. The announcement comes as the government lifts a one-month suspension on gambling advertisements across all media platforms. The suspension was implemented while authorities review the existing regulations. In a statement dated May 29, the BCLB introduced stricter guidelines aimed at promoting responsible gambling. The new rules prohibit public figures from making profits…

Libyan coup leader General Khalifa Haftar has threatened to suspend oil production and exports following a recent armed attack on the headquarters of the National Oil Company (NOC) in Tripoli, further straining the country’s fragile political climate. Haftar’s eastern-based administration in Benghazi issued a warning after armed assailants stormed the NOC building on Wednesday and demanded payment for security services. Although the clashes lasted about 30 minutes and did not disrupt operations, they raised new concerns about the security of Libya’s vital oil infrastructure. The National Unity Government, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, condemned “repeated attacks” on oil…