Author: WAJ Editor

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to meet with US President Donald Trump following the recent arrival of 49 Afrikaners in the United States under controversial refugee claims. The group reportedly travelled on a chartered flight from OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday evening, landing in Washington on Monday. Their departure has drawn attention after it emerged that they had been granted refugee status, a move the South African government firmly contests. Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday, Ramaphosa criticized the classification of the group as refugees, stating they do not meet the established…

More than 5,000 residents have fled their homes in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state following threats of deadly attacks by notorious gang leader Bello Turji, local sources and officials reported Monday. According to local lawmaker Habibu Halilu Modachi, Turji sent armed men to several rural communities, warning residents to vacate by Sunday afternoon or face lethal consequences. The ultimatum led to mass evacuations across Bafarawa and nearby villages over the weekend. At least 12 people have been killed so far, with the toll expected to rise as new reports emerge. The displaced are now seeking refuge in Isa town, Shinkafi in…

In a significant cultural recovery effort, Egypt has reclaimed 25 antiquities smuggled out of the country, marking one of its most substantial repatriation operations in recent years. The artefacts, which span various eras of ancient Egyptian civilization, arrived in Cairo on Monday and were received by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The return was the result of a coordinated initiative involving Egypt’s consulate in New York, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies, and private collectors. A joint committee from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities supervised the handover, which Abdelatty personally attended. The…

Algeria has summoned the French chargé d’affaires in Algiers and ordered the expulsion of 15 staff members from the French Embassy, citing serious violations of diplomatic norms and procedures. According to Algeria’s official news agency APS, the decision stems from what authorities described as “repeated and grave breaches” by the French side. The Algerian Foreign Ministry accused France of appointing diplomatic and consular personnel without prior notification or proper accreditation, actions that violate both international standards and bilateral agreements. Among those being expelled are two employees affiliated with France’s Directorate of Internal Security, who allegedly entered Algeria using falsified diplomatic…

At least 12 people, including two women and two children, were killed and 17 others injured in an overnight assault by unidentified armed attackers in South Sudan, local media reported on Sunday. The attack occurred around 1 a.m. in Lakes State, where the assailants opened fire indiscriminately on sleeping civilians, according to William Koji, the region’s acting Information Minister. Speaking to local news agency Aweil, Koji said the attackers are believed to be armed youths from neighboring counties in Unity State. In addition to the casualties, the assailants also raided livestock, though some cattle were later recovered with assistance from…

Algeria has expelled two French intelligence officers accused of entering the country using forged diplomatic passports, in the latest escalation of tensions between Algiers and Paris. State broadcaster Algeria International TV reported that the two individuals were affiliated with France’s Directorate of Internal Security, operating under the Interior Ministry. Authorities said the agents failed to follow legal entry procedures and used falsified diplomatic documents to gain access to Algerian territory. The incident was described by the broadcaster as a “manoeuvre” allegedly orchestrated by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. French officials have not yet commented publicly on the expulsions. The move…

A tragic road accident in South Africa on Sunday claimed the lives of eight people and left 16 others injured after a collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle, according to local reports. The crash occurred on the N2 highway near Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal province, prompting an emergency response from KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service. Paramedics confirmed that eight people were declared dead at the scene, as reported by the road safety platform Arrive Alive. Of the 16 injured, four were in critical condition and 12 sustained serious injuries. Emergency teams provided treatment on-site before transporting the victims to nearby…

Egypt has postponed its decision to appoint a new ambassador to Israel after tensions between the two countries escalated over Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza, which has created a deep rift in diplomatic relations. Sources in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told that the government will continue to suspend the high-level diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv due to Israel’s intense operations in Gaza and its refusal to withdraw from the Rafah border area. Egypt has not had an ambassador in Israel since September of last year, when former envoy Khaled Azmi resigned and returned to Cairo. Tarek Dahrouj,…

M23 rebel authorities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have ordered Twangiza Mining, a gold extraction firm, to suspend its operations amid a dispute over unpaid taxes. The directive was issued by the newly established M23 administration in South Kivu Province, which is now under rebel control following recent territorial gains. A letter dated May 8, signed by Twangiza Mining’s General Director Chao Xianfeng and circulated to staff, confirmed the immediate halt of all activities. The company, managed by Hong Kong-based Shomka Resources, stated that equipment and vehicles would be placed on standby as a result of the suspension. The…

South Africa has officially raised objections with the United States over reported plans to begin resettling white Afrikaners as refugees, saying such actions are politically motivated and based on unfounded claims of racial persecution. In a statement released Friday, South Africa’s foreign ministry said it had “expressed concern” over US media reports that the Trump administration would welcome the first group of white South African migrants next week. This move follows former President Donald Trump’s repeated accusations that the South African government discriminates against white citizens, particularly farmers. “We reiterate that allegations of discrimination are unfounded,” the ministry said, emphasizing…

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised serious concerns over a surge in violence targeting journalists in Burundi, just weeks before the country’s legislative and local elections set for June 5. The media watchdog reports a growing climate of intimidation, including arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, and repeated threats—most allegedly involving security forces and members of the ruling party’s youth wing, the Imbonerakure. This worsening situation has contributed to Burundi’s sharp drop in the RSF 2025 World Press Freedom Index, where it now ranks 125th out of 180 countries—a fall of 17 places from the previous year. RSF has called on Burundian…

Joshua Nkomo was a central figure in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and a foundational leader in the country’s political history. Born on June 19, 1917, in Semokwe, Matabeleland, he belonged to the Kalanga ethnic group and grew up in a religious and disciplined environment influenced by his father, a preacher. He attended missionary schools before studying social work at Adams College in South Africa. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the Jan Hofmeyr School in Johannesburg, where he came into contact with African nationalist movements that shaped his political ideology. In 1957, he rose to…

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has announced a sharp increase in retail fuel prices, effective Friday, citing escalating oil prices on the international market. The price adjustment affects nearly all fuel types, with the exception of jet fuel, which has seen a minor decrease. According to the new pricing structure, gasoline now costs 122.53 birr per litre, up from 91.00 birr in October—an increase of 34.6%. Diesel (Light Black Naphta) has risen by 18.6%, from 90.00 birr to 106.77 birr per litre. Prices for kerosene and White Naphta have each jumped by 29.4%, from 90.00 birr to 116.49…

Guinea’s transitional government is taking steps to cancel the permits and concessions of mining companies that fail to meet their contractual obligations, according to a directive from President General Mamadi Doumbouya. Speaking on national broadcaster Radio Television Guineenne on Thursday, Information and Communication Minister Fana Soumah emphasized that the government will not tolerate breaches of legal commitments and timelines. “Compliance with contractual commitments and deadlines is non-negotiable,” he stated. While no specific companies were named, the announcement follows a Bloomberg report indicating that Guinea intends to revoke a bauxite mining license held by a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium for…

Several African heads of state joined Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday for a grand military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Victory Day celebrations, held on Red Square, featured a large-scale display of military hardware, including new-generation tanks and Russian-made drones. Leaders from 27 countries, including African and global counterparts, gathered to observe the event, which holds deep historical significance in Russia. Among the African leaders present were Burkina Faso’s transitional president Ibrahim Traoré, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Equatorial Guinea’s President…

Small-scale fishers and coastal communities from South Africa’s Northern and Western Cape regions have joined civil society organisations in a landmark legal challenge against offshore oil and gas exploration. The case, brought by The Green Connection and Natural Justice, is being heard at the Western Cape High Court this week and targets the environmental authorisation granted to TotalEnergies in 2023 for drilling operations in Block 5/6/7 — a marine area vital to local livelihoods. The applicants are seeking a judicial review of the authorisation, arguing that it poses a severe threat to marine ecosystems and the fishing-based way of life…