Author: WAJ Editor

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Monday strongly refuted claims by the M23 rebel group and its allies that its mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) was involved in joint military operations. In a statement, SADC voiced “deep concern” over the accusations, labeling them as “inaccurate and misleading.” The allegations surfaced over the weekend when the M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC) asserted that SAMIDRC forces participated in coordinated attacks in the eastern city of Goma, alongside the Congolese army (FARDC), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and pro-government Wazalendo militia. “SAMIDRC has…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as a special envoy to the United States, in a bid to restore deteriorating diplomatic ties between the two nations. The move comes after a marked decline in relations following U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year. Washington expelled South Africa’s ambassador and slashed financial assistance, citing disagreements over South Africa’s stance on land reform and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. President Trump has publicly accused South Africa—without presenting evidence—of land seizures and discrimination against “certain classes of…

Nelson Mandela was a South African freedom fighter, lawyer, and statesman who became a global symbol of resistance against oppression. He dedicated his life to dismantling the apartheid system that enforced racial segregation and inequality in South Africa. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He belonged to the Thembu royal family. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, was a local chief and counselor to the Thembu king. After his father’s death, Mandela was placed under the guardianship of the acting regent, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who ensured…

More than 40 people were killed during a midnight attack on the Zike community in Bassa, Plateau State, as violence by armed groups continues to escalate in north-central Nigeria. The attack, which erupted around midnight on Monday and lasted nearly two hours, resulted in significant casualties and mass displacement, according to local sources. Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, national publicity secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, reported that about 1,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes. He added that many of the injured are currently receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital and nearby clinics. Plateau State Police Command spokesperson…

As of April 2025, Sudan’s civil war, has escalated into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in widespread violence, massive displacement, and acute food insecurity. The international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance to address the dire needs of the Sudanese population.

Imam Abdullah Haroun (1924–1969) was a respected South African Muslim cleric, teacher and anti-apartheid activist who dedicated his life to combating racial injustice and promoting unity among oppressed communities. His death in police custody made him a martyr in the struggle against apartheid, and his legacy continues to inspire movements for justice in South Africa and beyond. Early Life and Education Imam Abdullah Haroun, a symbol of resistance against racism and injustice for South African Muslims, was born in Cape Town on 8 February 1924. Harun, who lost his mother at a young age, was raised under the care of…

Egypt and the Netherlands have unveiled a new project aimed at enhancing Africa’s ability to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, marking a significant step in addressing irregular migration and transnational crime across the continent. The initiative, titled Building National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants, is the first collaboration between the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding in Africa (CCCPA) and the Dutch government. It is being implemented with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt. The launch ceremony in Cairo brought together senior figures, including Egypt’s Deputy Foreign Minister…

Libya’s Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohammed Al-Huweij, met with Turkish Ambassador to Libya, Güven Begeç, on Thursday to discuss a range of economic matters of shared interest. According to a statement from Libya’s Ministry of Economy and Trade, the meeting was held in preparation for the upcoming visit of the Turkish Minister of Trade to Libya. It aimed to further strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries. Talks focused on advancing trade and investment relations, encouraging partnerships between public and private sectors, and expanding cooperation in investment, trade exchange, and industry. Both sides emphasized the need to…

At least 25 civilians lost their lives after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an attack on the Zamzam displacement camp in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, a local committee reported on Friday. According to a statement from the El Fasher Resistance Coordination Committee, the RSF targeted the camp from the southern and eastern sides early in the morning, but the attack was eventually repelled. Resistance committees and emergency teams, formed largely after Sudan’s civil conflict erupted two years ago, consist of volunteers who provide emergency medical assistance, aid distribution, and general support to civilians. Fighting…

Military experts from the Confederation of Sahel States gathered in Ouagadougou from April 8 to 11, 2025, to discuss defense and security matters within the confederation’s territory. Representatives from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali evaluated ongoing joint military operations and reviewed progress made so far. They also discussed practical arrangements for establishing a unified force, in line with the vision and directives of the three countries’ leaders. The meeting marked a new step toward strengthening collective defense cooperation and enhancing combined security capacities to address common threats in the Sahel region.

Jean Bernard Padaré, the President of Chad’s Constitutional Council, publicly announced his conversion to Islam on Friday, April 11, 2025, during a ceremony at the Martyrs’ Mosque, also known as the “President’s Mosque,” in N’Djamena. Following his conversion, he revealed that he has changed his name to Yahya Padaré, describing the move as a major milestone in his personal and spiritual journey. Yahya Padaré is a well-known figure in Chadian politics. He started his career as a lawyer, gaining recognition for his work in human rights advocacy and high-profile legal cases. He later held key government positions, including Minister of…

As global concerns over wildlife trafficking grow, Nigeria, once a major hub for illegal animal trade, is intensifying its crackdown on traffickers, particularly those dealing in endangered pangolins. Driven by high demand in Asia, where native pangolin populations have plummeted, smugglers have increasingly turned to Africa. In response, Nigerian authorities have recently made notable arrests, including that of a Chinese national linked to a major trafficking network. A raid this month at a Lagos market resulted in five additional arrests and the seizure of over 8,000 pounds of pangolin scales — representing around 1,900 killed animals. Michael Awe, head of…

Morocco’s social security agency confirmed that a major cyberattack this week led to the theft and leak of sensitive personal data on Telegram, marking one of the most serious breaches in the country’s history. The agency, responsible for managing pensions and insurance benefits for millions of private sector workers, said in a statement on Wednesday that hackers had successfully bypassed its security measures. While the agency did not identify who was behind the attack, it claimed that many of the leaked documents were “misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete.” Hackers who shared the stolen information on Telegram said their actions were retaliation…

Tunisian authorities have released 11 Russian nationals who had been detained since November on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities, Russian state media reported on Friday. The group was arrested near Tunisia’s border with Algeria. While Russian media described them as tourists, Tunisian police reportedly seized equipment from the group that did “not correspond to declared tourist purposes,” according to a previous statement from Russia’s embassy in Tunis. No formal charges were brought against the individuals, and both Tunisian and Russian officials have provided few details about the case. The Russian state news agency TASS cited the embassy saying that…

Zambia is set to resume construction on a long-delayed electricity transmission line connecting it to neighboring Tanzania, a move expected to strengthen regional energy integration and create one of the largest interconnected power markets in Africa. Speaking at a signing ceremony on Friday, Achim Fock, the World Bank’s country manager for Zambia, confirmed that work on the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project will recommence this month, with completion targeted for 2028. The project, valued at $320 million, is being financed by the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. Of the remaining $298 million required to complete the work, the…

A new military unit is being established in Mauritania with the support of Czech soldiers, as part of NATO’s growing focus on security in the Sahel region. For the Czech Republic, this initiative marks its only military presence in the Sahel since the withdrawal of its trainers from Mali. The mission has been praised by the country’s President Petr Pavel, who is visiting Mauritania this week. During his trip to Nouakchott, President Pavel — a former general and ex-NATO leader — highlighted Mauritania’s relative stability in a region often marked by unrest. Around twenty Czech soldiers are currently involved in…