Author: WAJ Editor

Authorities confirmed on Thursday that at least five people were killed and several others wounded in a deadly attack on a Malian army post in the southeastern village of Mahou. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting the country’s military. According to defense and local sources, the attack began in the morning hours and involved dozens of armed assailants on motorcycles. Witnesses described the scene as “horrific” and reports suggested more than 50 assailants were involved. According to a local security official, security forces, supported by ground and air reinforcements, were able to repel the…

Sanlam, one of South Africa’s leading financial services groups, has released statistics claiming a significant increase in cancer-related insurance claims, particularly among younger customers. Sanlam’s 2024 insurance claims data highlights South Africa’s growing health challenges and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical screening habits, revealing a significant increase in cancer and cardiovascular-related claims. Cancer remains the leading cause of serious illness claims, accounting for 54% of total payouts in this category, up 30% from the previous year. Prostate cancer claims among men have doubled, while breast cancer claims among women have increased by 33%. Cardiovascular conditions accounted…

Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has died at the age of 68 while receiving medical care in South Africa. His daughter Tasila Lungu confirmed the news in a recorded statement on Thursday, saying he died at the Medforum Clinic in Pretoria, where he had been under medical supervision for the past few weeks. “His condition was managed with dignity and confidentiality,” she said. Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth president, ruling the country from 2015 to 2021. A trained lawyer, Lungu assumed office following the death of President Michael Sata and was later defeated by incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema in…

An Egyptian court’s recent ruling on the land ownership of St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, has raised concerns among the religious and diplomatic communities. The ruling, handed down on May 28, declared the land surrounding the monastery to be state property, but confirmed the right of monks to continue their religious practices on the site. Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery holds significant religious significance for Christians, Muslims and Jews. Founded in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, the monastery is famous for its ancient manuscripts, including the Codex…

Rwanda has become a leader in the fight against plastic pollution, both in Africa and globally, by implementing groundbreaking initiatives that transform waste into valuable resources. According to the United Nations (UN), more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide each year, and less than 10% of this is recycled. UN reports that, single-use plastic that is thrown away or incinerated harms human health and biodiversity, and pollutes every ecosystem from mountaintops to the ocean floor. This explains why Rwanda joined other countries in celebrating World Environment Day 2025 on June 5, with the theme of Defeat Plastic…

Zimbabwean exporters are expressing concern over new government measures tightening controls on foreign exchange earnings, warning that the move could stifle production, reduce foreign exchange inflows and threaten the country’s economy. Under the revised regulations, Zimbabwean exporters are now required to surrender 70% of their foreign exchange earnings within 90 days and some key export incentives have been withdrawn. The announcement resonated with vital sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing, which are already struggling with high operating costs and policy volatility. Speaking to reporters after an exporters’ conference last week, CEO Africa Roundtable Chairman Oswell Binha described the mood…

Angolan President Joao Lourenço has called for increased vaccine and medicine production in Africa, warning that reliance on foreign imports is weakening the continent’s ability to respond to public health emergencies. His comments came during urgent virtual talks on Wednesday as a deadly cholera outbreak continues to spread across several African countries. Locating medicine and vaccine production on our continent is critical to managing the cholera crisis and preparing for future health threats, Lourenço, who currently chairs the African Union, said. “To ensure a strong and sustainable response to this and future crises, it is critical to locate medicine and…

At least 14 people were killed and several others were injured when Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched artillery strikes on a refugee camp in North Darfur, a local aid agency reported on Wednesday. The attack targeted the Abu Shouk camp in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, according to the Abu Shouk Emergency Committee. RSF did not respond to the allegations. El-Fasher has become a point of conflict in recent weeks, with heavy fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army since May 2024. The city is a key humanitarian access point for the wider Darfur region,…

The United Nations (UN) has called for an independent and transparent investigation following the discovery of mass graves in detention centers in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. On Wednesday, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed deep concern over reports of serious human rights violations in official and unofficial facilities operated by the Stability Support Unit, an internal security body under Libya’s Presidential Council. Originally established in 2021 through a UN-backed process to maintain law and order, the Device is now under investigation following the recovery of dozens of bodies and evidence of torture, reinforcing previous UN…

African states has stepped up its efforts for a permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, and the issue took center stage at the 13th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C-10) in Lusaka, Zambia, on Wednesday. The meeting focused on the Common African Position (CAP), which advocates for at least two permanent and five non-permanent seats on the Security Council for Africa. The effort illustrated the continent’s long-standing frustrations over its exclusion from the council’s top decision-making level. In a statement made on his behalf by Defense Minister Ambrose Lufuma, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said…

Arab Contractors, one of Egypt’s leading construction firms, has signed a strategic partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) partner on large-scale infrastructure projects in African countries. The agreement was announced by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who described it as a significant step in strengthening bileteral ties with China. The partnership is expected to center utilizing resources and expertise to deliver ambitious mega projects both within Egypt and in other African countries. Egypt’s Housing Minister Sherif El Sherbiny, who recently visited China, stated that the agreement aims to accelerate the implementation of transformative projects in line with Africa’s…

At least eleven children have lost their lives after a pile of sand collapsed while they were digging clay in a pit in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. According to local reports, the tragic incident took place in Yardoka village in Kubau district on Monday. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The victims were Quran school students aged between 10 and 15. They were reportedly sent by their teachers to collect clay to make mud bricks. Seven other children suffered various injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. A local traditional leader said most of those who died…

The Kenyan National Treasury has introduced the Finance Bill 2025, which proposes sweeping changes to the country’s tax regime, scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2025. The Bill, introduced in Parliament by the Cabinet Secretary on April 30, 2025, aims to improve compliance, broaden the tax base and align with global standards by amending key tax laws, including the Income Tax Act, VAT Act and Excise Tax Act. Highlights of the Bill The 2025 Finance Bill will be submitted to public consultation before being tabled in Parliament and likely to come into force by the end of June.…

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is facing increasing backlash after her government shut down one of the country’s largest Pentecostal churches following outspoken sermons condemning an alleged wave of enforced disappearances. The Glory of Christ Church, known in Tanzanian language, Swahili as Ufuo na Uzima, and more than 2,000 of its branches across the country were officially closed by the Ministry of Interior on Sunday. Tanzanian authorities accused the church’s founder, Kawe MP and Bishop Josephat Gwajima, of fomenting public unrest through politically charged sermons that they claimed threatened national security. Bishop Gwajima has repeatedly used his pulpit to condemn…

Moroccan authorities have arrested a 24-year-old French-Moroccan man believed to be the mastermind behind a series of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency managers in France, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced. The suspect, Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, was detained in the northern city of Tangier following a red notice issued by Interpol. He is wanted by French authorities on charges including kidnapping, illegal detention and hostage-taking. The arrest was confirmed by Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security and reported by the state-run MAP news agency. France has been hit by a disturbing wave of kidnappings in recent months, with…

Zimbabwean wildlife authorities have approved the culling of at least 50 elephants at Save Valley Conservancy, citing overpopulation and environmental strain in the southern reserve. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority announced on Tuesday that the reserve is currently home to about 2,550 elephants, more than three times its ecological carrying capacity of 800. Officials said the decision was made to prevent habitat degradation and reduce pressure on the ecosystem. Efforts to manage the elephant population have included the relocation of 200 animals to other reserves in the past five years. But conservationists say the population continues to grow…