Author: WAJ Editor

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby has expressed strong disapproval of recent comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, describing them as dismissive towards Africa and its people. “I would like to express my indignation at the remarks recently made by President Emmanuel Macron, which verge on contempt for Africa and Africans,” President Déby stated. “I sincerely believe he is mistaken about the times we live in.” The remarks reflect rising tensions in Franco-African relations, as several African leaders increasingly voice opposition to perceived paternalistic attitudes from Western nations.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission’s Legal Affairs Directorate successfully organized the 6th Retreat of the ECOWAS Legal Advisers Network. The gathering took place from December 17 to 21, 2024, in Banjul, The Gambia, with representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Parliament, and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in attendance. The event began with an opening ceremony chaired by Acting Director of Legal Affairs, Mrs. Isatou Combeh Njai, who welcomed participants and commended their dedication to the network. The Legal Advisers Network serves as a platform for legal collaboration and professional exchange across ECOWAS institutions, agencies,…

Malawi’s ex-Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka, along with four other former government officials, was arrested on Monday over allegations of embezzling approximately $250 million from two state-owned enterprises. The accused include Lloyd Muhara, former Secretary to the President, Cliff Chiunda, former Treasury Secretary, and Collins Magalasi, ex-CEO of Malawi’s Energy Regulatory Authority. They are alleged to have diverted 447.5 billion kwacha ($258 million) from the Salima Sugar Company and the Greenbelt Initiative. Lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale, representing the suspects, confirmed the arrests. Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya stated that a 2023 audit of the Salima Sugar Company revealed significant financial mismanagement, leading to…

Clashes erupted in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, on Monday as young demonstrators and police faced off over demands for a return to civilian governance. The protests coincided with the expiration of the 24-month transition period agreed upon by the military junta and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the 2021 coup. The unrest resulted in the death of Mamadou Bailo Sidibe, a 20-year-old sheet metal worker, who was shot in the T8 district of Conakry’s upper suburbs. The incident paralyzed traffic and forced businesses to close in various parts of the city. The protests were organized by the…

Muscat: Oman and Djibouti have signed an air transport agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation in aviation and facilitate the movement of passengers and goods between the two nations. The agreement was formalized on Monday by Eng. Nayef Ali Al Abri, Chairman of Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Diyauddin Saeed Ba’Makhramah, Djibouti’s non-resident Ambassador to Oman. This accord is part of Oman’s broader strategy to strengthen its role as a regional air transport hub. To date, Oman has signed air transport agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with over 130 countries worldwide, aiming to improve connectivity and link global markets…

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s commitment to deepening relations with Oman during his official visit to Muscat. In discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi on Monday, Abdelatty described the ties between the two nations as “close” and “historical.” The talks focused on advancing bilateral cooperation and coordinating efforts on regional issues of mutual interest, aligning with the directives of the leaderships of both countries. The ministers highlighted the growing momentum in Egypt-Oman relations following President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Muscat in June 2022 and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s visit to Cairo in May 2023.…

As the lead obstetrician at Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, Sudan, Safa Ali faces extraordinary challenges daily, but one case stands out. Last August, she treated a pregnant woman shot during the country’s brutal civil war. A bullet had pierced the woman’s abdomen, injuring her unborn baby. Remarkably, both survived. “It was one of the most challenging cases I’ve worked on,” says Ali, 45, who was recently named to the BBC’s annual list of 100 inspiring women. Drawn to obstetrics as a student, Ali found joy in helping bring new life into the world. However, the chaos of Sudan’s…

Three Nigerian women detained in Saudi Arabia for nearly ten months on drug-related charges have been released following diplomatic efforts. The Acting Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development on Sunday. The women, identified as Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi, were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah. They were accused of possessing a substance suspected to be cocaine during a pilgrimage. The arrest was linked to two other Nigerian nationals caught with significant quantities of cocaine—80 capsules weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules weighing…

Mali’s army announced the arrest of two individuals on Saturday, including a senior figure in the Sahel branch of an international militant group. The operation, conducted in the northern regions of the country, also resulted in the deaths of several fighters associated with the group. In a statement, the army identified one of the detainees as Mahamad Ould Erkehile, known as Abu Rakia, and the other as Abu Hash, a prominent leader accused of orchestrating atrocities in the Menaka and Gao regions. The two are also linked to attacks targeting Malian military forces. Mali has experienced ongoing unrest since 2012,…

Africa’s Bitcoin mining activity has reached 3% of the global hashrate as of December 2024, a remarkable milestone for a region historically underrepresented in cryptocurrency mining. Ethiopia, leveraging 100% renewable energy, accounts for 2.5% of this share, underscoring the continent’s growing role in sustainable Bitcoin mining. Africa’s progress has been fueled by investments in renewable energy and government-backed initiatives. Ethiopia’s extensive use of hydroelectric and solar power has positioned it as a leader in sustainable crypto mining. The continent’s mining output has more than doubled since 2023, highlighting rapid growth and adaptation to the global crypto economy. Bitcoin mining projects…

Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector is undergoing a digital transformation, with over 1,100 facilities now utilizing advanced technologies to improve healthcare delivery across the country. The Impilo Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, introduced as a pilot project in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District in 2016, has expanded nationwide. The system ensures patients’ medical records follow them between facilities, streamlining care and enhancing efficiency. Dr. Robert Gongora, Deputy Director of Health Informatics and Data Analytics, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding digital health services. He highlighted applications enabling patients to access personal health records via smartphones, book appointments, and even consult doctors virtually through…

South African businesses and consumers are set to reap significant benefits from rapid advancements in digital technology, with innovations such as 5.5G, 6G, satellite technology, IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, and smart devices promising transformative experiences. Among these developments, devices featuring holographic displays, allowing users to interact with 3D images without the need for glasses, stand out as groundbreaking. The evolution of mobile connectivity, from the first SMS in the 1990s to the advent of 5G, has revolutionized communication and accessibility. Looking ahead, these upcoming technologies aim not only to increase speed and reduce latency but also to deliver enriched,…

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, for operating without the required license, the regulator announced on Thursday. Starlink, a division of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but has encountered regulatory hurdles in some regions, including Namibia, where state-owned telecom operators dominate the market. According to CRAN, Starlink is currently under investigation for operating its network within Namibia without the necessary telecommunications license. While Starlink has submitted an application for the license, it has not yet been approved. “On November 26, 2024, CRAN issued a cease-and-desist order…