Author: WAJ Editor

The Ugandan Parliament has approved a military deployment to South Sudan as tensions rise following the collapse of the country’s fragile coalition government. The crisis stems from a growing rift between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his deputy, former rebel leader Riek Machar. Last week, Machar’s party pulled out of peace talks, further destabilizing the situation. Ugandan Defense Minister Jacob Oboth told lawmakers on March 20 that President Kiir had formally requested military assistance 10 days ago to contain the unrest. “This intervention is necessary to prevent a security disaster in South Sudan,” Oboth said. Uganda’s Move Come After…

Four political activists in Burkina Faso were kidnapped after speaking out against massacres of civilians allegedly linked to the country’s military and allied militias, their movement said on Sunday. The activists, members of the political group Servir et Non Se Servir (SENS), were kidnapped on Saturday, just days after another member of their movement, journalist Idrissa Barry, was captured near the capital Ouagadougou. The latest abductions add to a growing number of disappearances of people critical of the military-led government. Rising Abductions SENS condemned the recent abductions, noting that two of the abducted activists were mothers. “They were taken to…

South Africa’s Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, returned home to a hero’s welcome on Sunday after being deported by Washington over his critical comments against US President Donald Trump. Rasool, who was declared persona non grata by the US government, was greeted at Cape Town International Airport by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters, many of whom wore the green and yellow colours of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Addressing the crowd, Rasool said he had no regrets about his deportation, adding: “It was not our choice to return, but we returned home with our dignity intact.” Rasool’s…

The historic port city of Berbera, located along Somaliland’s Gulf of Aden coastline, is rapidly cementing its status as a regional seafood hub, driven by a surge in demand from neighboring Ethiopia. Renowned for its rich tuna stocks, Berbera is emerging as a key player in the supply of seafood to both regional and international markets. Leading this growth is Somtuna Fishing Company, a subsidiary of the Dahabshil Group. Established by seasoned Somali entrepreneurs with strong ties to global markets, Somtuna specializes in canned tuna production, fish processing, and seafood exports. The company operates a modern processing facility in Berbera,…

Mauritania is placed in Northwest Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. With a population of approximately 4.4 million people and a vast territory of over one million square kilometers, it is one of the least densely populated countries in Africa. The capital, Nouakchott, is the largest city, serving as the political and economic hub of the nation. Mauritania’s Economy: Growth, Challenges, and Key Sectors Mauritania’s economy is based on a mix of traditional and modern sectors. While…

Egypt has announced plans to ramp up its investments in Tanzania, targeting critical sectors such as technology, education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure, in a move aimed at strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two nations. The announcement was made during a two-day official visit by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, who was accompanied by more than ten prominent Egyptian business leaders. A major highlight of the visit was the discussion on the official launch of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, a multi-billion-dollar project now 99.9 percent complete. The dam is expected to significantly boost Tanzania’s energy capacity…

Egypt has firmly denied reports claiming it would temporarily relocate 500,000 Palestinians from Gaza to North Sinai as part of a proposed plan linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for the Gaza Strip. In an official statement on Friday, Egypt’s State Information Service dismissed the allegations as “completely false” and “contrary to Egypt’s unwavering position” of rejecting any form of Palestinian displacement, whether forced or voluntary. The denial follows a report by Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper — widely circulated in Israeli media — which claimed that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had shown willingness during recent meetings with Arab leaders…

An Algerian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff in southwestern Algeria, killing the pilot, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred near the town of Adrar on March 19, raising concerns about the operational safety of Algeria’s military aviation fleet. Initial reports indicate that the pilot attempted to eject but did not survive the crash. The Algerian Ministry of Defense has yet to release an official statement or confirm details about the incident or the pilot’s identity. Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion and smoke rising from the crash site in the remote desert area, roughly 1,000…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a temporary suspension of fuel sales to the Nigerian domestic market, citing challenges with the stalled naira-for-crude oil deal previously in place with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). In a notice to petroleum marketers on Wednesday, the refinery explained that the move was necessary to prevent a financial imbalance caused by its crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently settled in US dollars. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily suspended the sale of petroleum products in naira to avoid a mismatch between sales proceeds and crude oil purchase obligations,” the company stated. “Our sales…

Uganda’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has intensified community engagement efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in affected districts. With support from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, a coalition including WHO Uganda, the Ministry of Health, Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF), Baylor College of Medicine, and the Joint Mobile Emerging Disease Intervention Clinical Capability (JMEDICC) has trained 117 healthcare workers in key districts. Additionally, over 730 community health workers in eastern Uganda have received training to strengthen outbreak preparedness for Ebola, Mpox, and Marburg.…

Morocco could achieve 2.97 GW of installed solar capacity by 2028 under a medium-case scenario, with the potential to reach 4.35 GW in a high-growth outlook, according to a new report by SolarPower Europe. The findings, published in the “Morocco: Solar Investment Opportunities” report, were supported by the Global Solar Council (GSC) and Morocco’s renewable energy association, Cluster EnR. The report attributes the country’s measured solar expansion to its emphasis on concentrated solar power, project development delays, and grid integration challenges. Morocco’s high solar potential is driven by strong sunlight exposure and ample available land. The report also highlights recent…

The International Charity Organization (ICO), based in the United Arab Emirates, has initiated the construction of a fully integrated residential city in Mauritania, aligning with Zayed Humanitarian Day. The USD 2.18 million project is designed to support underprivileged families, including orphans, by providing essential housing and services. The planned integrated city will include 100 fully equipped homes, a mosque with a capacity for 100 worshippers, a school, a health center with modern medical facilities, and an artesian well to ensure access to clean water. Additionally, it will feature charitable endowment shops and a modern water distribution network to improve efficiency.…

Morocco has launched its ‘Airports 2030 Strategy’, a comprehensive plan to modernize airport infrastructure and enhance the country’s position as a key aviation hub. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to boost economic and social development. Aviation plays a crucial role in Morocco’s economy, contributing $11.2 billion (7.9%) to GDP in 2023 and supporting 856,000 jobs. The country also saw 11.7 million international passengers and handled 77,900 tonnes of air cargo last year. Given this growing importance, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, emphasized that the strategy…

A new study has revealed that climate change is severely impacting adolescent mental health in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions, southern Madagascar. Researchers found that young people in rural areas are experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, and climate-related distress, with many expressing a sense of hopelessness about the future. The study, published in the Journal of Climate Change and Health, gathered data from 83 adolescents and focus groups with 48 participants across six rural villages. Many reported feeling powerless due to food insecurity, loss of resources, and uncertainty about their future. Some shared harrowing accounts of starvation and extreme…

Libya and Indonesia are strengthening their tourism and business relations with a new initiative focused on halal-friendly travel. The Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli announced the collaboration following a meeting hosted by Chargé d’Affaires Dede Achmad Rifai with ten leading Libyan travel agents near the historic Marcus Aurelius Monument. During the gathering, Indonesia’s top tourist destinations were showcased, and the upcoming Bali & Beyond Travel Fair 2025 (BBTF)—set for June 11-15—was introduced as a key platform for tourism promotion, business partnerships, and cultural exchange. The embassy encouraged Libyan participation, highlighting opportunities for collaboration. Beyond Bali, Indonesia is also inviting Libyan entrepreneurs…

A South African court has ordered a decade-long ban on commercial fishing around key breeding colonies of the African penguin, a species facing extinction due to dwindling food supplies. The Pretoria High Court ruling prohibits sardine and anchovy fishing in waters surrounding six critical breeding sites, including Robben Island—best known as the former prison site of Nelson Mandela—Dassen Island, and the Stony Point nature reserve. Conservation Victory Bird conservation groups, including BirdLife South Africa, hailed the decision as a major step in preventing the collapse of the species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the African penguin…