Author: WAJ Editor

Massive protests erupted in the Kenyan capital on Thursday as hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets to demand the resignation of Deputy Chief Inspector Eliud Lagat following the controversial death of influential figure and school teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody. The protesters, carrying Kenyan flags and signs with slogans such as “Stop Killing Us,” brought traffic to a standstill in central Nairobi and forced businesses to close. The demonstrations quickly escalated into clashes, with some youths throwing rocks at police, who responded with tear gas in prolonged street clashes. Ojwang, an online commentator and teacher with a large…

Madagascar is set to host the 8th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialization Week, which will draw more than 500 delegates from across the region from July 28 to August 1 to focus on advancing industrial and economic transformation. The event, organized by the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the Madagascar government, the Syndicat des Industries Madagascar and the SADC Business Council, is the region’s largest public-private platform to promote industrial development. Madagascar’s Minister of Industrialization and Trade David Ralambofiringa announced at a press conference in Antananarivo that the theme of this year’s forum is “Advancing Industrialization, Agricultural Transformation and…

Rescue efforts are underway in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, with the death toll from catastrophic flooding rising to 57, according to government officials. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, who visited the affected area, described the situation around the town of Mthatha as “a real disaster and a catastrophe”, highlighting the heavy human toll. Search and rescue teams resumed operations for a third day on Thursday, searching for missing residents in flood-affected areas. Authorities had reported 49 confirmed deaths on Wednesday, but warned that number was likely to rise as searches continued in Mthatha and surrounding…

Egypt’s trade with BRICS countries has increased sharply since Egypt officially joined the alliance, according to a new report published by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). The country’s exports to BRICS members increased by 31.5/ percent in 2024, from $688 million to $905 million. Imports also saw a significant increase of 40.1/ percent, from $2.41 billion to $3.38 billion in the same January-December period. The CAPMAS report also shed light on demographic and labor trends within the BRICS bloc. China remains the most populous member, with a population that grew from 1.37 billion to 1.41 billion.…

The first contingent of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set to return home this week, marking the end of their mission as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping efforts. The soldiers are expected to land at Bloemspruit Air Force Base in Bloemfontein at noon on Friday, where they will be officially welcomed by South African Defence Minister and Military Veteran Angie Motshekga and members of the Military Command Council. The mission was part of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which aims to stabilise…

The South African National Assembly has approved the country’s revised fiscal framework and revenue proposals. This is a significant step in the budget process after months of political wrangling. The budget, which underpins Africa’s largest economy, has been postponed and rescheduled several times due to internal disagreements within the ruling coalition, particularly over a controversial proposal to increase value-added tax (VAT). Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana was eventually forced to withdraw the VAT increase plan in response to growing opposition. In Wednesday’s vote, 268 members of parliament supported the framework, 88 voted against it and two abstained. Members of parliament from…

Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Wednesday that it had taken control of a strategic border area linking Sudan, Libya and Egypt after army forces withdrew from the area. According to an RSF spokesman, the group captured the area known as the “Triangle” after fierce clashes with government troops. The RSF claimed that the Sudanese army suffered significant losses in both personnel and equipment during the conflict. The Sudanese army confirmed the withdrawal and described the move as part of a broader “defensive arrangement” aimed at countering ongoing attacks. The army also accused forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa…

Authorities confirmed that at least 49 people have died following severe flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province on Wednesday, and said the death toll was likely to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. The flooding was triggered by a strong cold front that swept across parts of the country, bringing heavy rain and snow to many areas. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said police had confirmed the current death toll but said more bodies were still being found. “Even now, more bodies are being found,” Mabuyane told a press briefing. Six high school students were among the victims…

Libya has officially welcomed the arrival of the Maghreb “Convoy of Steadfastness,” a solidarity convoy aimed at lifting the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip. The convoy was enthusiastically welcomed by the public in Martyrs’ Square in Tripoli, symbolizing the broad regional support for the Palestinian cause. Organized by activists in the Maghreb, the convoy successfully entered Libyan territory from Tunisia and is heading to Zawiya, a coastal city west of Tripoli, before continuing its journey towards the border with Egypt and Gaza. The Libyan Supreme Council of State issued a statement expressing strong support for the initiative, calling the…

According to a local news agency, Ethiopia has revived its grand plan to build the tallest building in Sub-Saharan Africa: a $445 million, 62-story headquarters for state-owned Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP). Originally proposed in 2023, the project stalled due to financial difficulties. However, EEP has reopened the bidding process, inviting both local and international contractors to participate. The utility said qualified bidders must have at least ten years of experience and a track record of completing three large-scale projects worth $370 million or more. Designed by Beirut-based engineering firm Dar Al-Handasah, the tower will be delivered as a full engineering,…

Ghana’s nationwide nurses and midwives strike has intensified after negotiations between the government and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) broke down on Wednesday, sending health services across the country into crisis. The strike, which began on June 2, has attracted about 85% of nurses and midwives nationwide. The union is demanding full implementation of a May 2024 agreement with the government that promises a range of benefits, including a one-month salary bonus, fuel and medical benefits, rural service incentives and support for professional licence renewals. But officials say financial provisions for these commitments have not been included…

Kenya President William Ruto has confirmed the death of blogger and school teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody, describing the incident as “heartbreaking and unacceptable”. He has ordered a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death. Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher by profession who has been a vocal critic on social media, was arrested in Homa Bay last Saturday over alleged posts targeting Deputy Chief Inspector Eliud Kipkoech Lagat. He was transferred to Nairobi the same day, where he died while in custody at the Central Police Station. Initial police reports suggested that his injuries were self-inflicted,…

Kwame Nkrumah, born in 1909 in Nkroful, led Ghana to independence and became a leading voice for Pan-Africanism. Educated in the US and UK, he was influenced by socialist and anti-colonial thinkers. After returning to the Gold Coast in 1947, he split from the conservative UGCC to form the Convention People’s Party (CPP), championing immediate self-rule. Through mass mobilization and civil disobedience, Nkrumah gained massive popular support and became Prime Minister in 1952. Ghana gained independence in 1957, and Nkrumah became its first President in 1960. He prioritized education, industrial development, health, housing, and African unity—playing a key role in…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has claimed that some business people are contributing significantly to the ongoing conflict in the country, saying that around 60% of the instability in the country is driven by wealthy individuals who support armed groups. Speaking at a national meeting with business representatives, Ahmed said that the support some business people are giving to armed groups contradicts their public endorsement of peace. “60% of the instability that is shaking the peace of Ethiopia is fueled by business people, Ethiopians who support armed groups,” he said. He did not name specific individuals or companies. He called…

The Sudanese army accused troops loyal to eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar of launching an attack on its border positions on Tuesday, the first time Sudanese army officials has publicly acknowledged direct military action by its northwestern neighbor in the ongoing conflict. The attack took place north of al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, in the border triangle shared by Libya, Egypt and Sudan, according to a statement from the army. The army also accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of involvement. Sudan has previously accused Haftar of aiding the RSF through arms supplies early in the war.…

Rwanda has announced the successful relocation of 70 southern white rhinos from South Africa. It was the largest operation of its kind. The animals were relocated more than 3,000 kilometers during a two-day journey from Munywana Conservation Area to Akagera National Park. The initiative, coordinated by African Parks with support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, is part of the broader Rhino Rewild Initiative. The aim is to increase population numbers and establish a safe breeding ground in Rwanda. According to the Rwanda Development Board, the rhinos were transported in two batches of 35 by Boeing 747 and then by…