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Wau Monitor, Wau Wau, Bahr Al Ghazal (2025)

06/11/2025

Guinea's Junta Leader Declares Presidential Candidacy, Reversing Earlier Pledge

Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of Guinea's ruling junta, has announced his intention to contest the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for December. This declaration marks a significant reversal of his earlier commitment not to stand in the polls, a promise made shortly after he seized power in a 2021 coup.

Doumbouya's decision is likely to ignite further political tension in the West African nation, which has been navigating a turbulent transition period since the military takeover. His previous assurances were seen as a step towards restoring civilian rule and fostering a democratic transition. Critics are expected to view this move as an attempt to solidify military power and undermine democratic processes.

The announcement comes amidst ongoing debates and reforms regarding the country's electoral framework and a timetable for the return to constitutional order. Doumbouya's candidacy introduces a new layer of complexity to these discussions and raises questions about the junta's long-term intentions for Guinea's political future.

06/11/2025

Drone Strike Kills 40 Civilians at Funeral as Sudan Crisis Intensifies

The conflict in Sudan reached a new level of horror this week after a drone strike reportedly killed at least 40 civilians attending a funeral gathering in the city of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. Dozens more were injured in the attack, which local media reports attribute to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), though the United Nations has not specified the perpetrator.

The attack underscores the deepening violence spreading into the strategically important Kordofan region, following the RSF's capture of El Fasher, the last army stronghold in the neighbouring Darfur region, last week. The intensifying fighting has triggered renewed warnings from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) that the situation across Kordofan is rapidly deteriorating.

The civilian casualties come amid a renewed push by the United States to broker a humanitarian truce between the warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the RSF

However, diplomatic efforts appear stalled. Following a review of the U.S. proposal, which reportedly envisions a three-month humanitarian pause followed by a political process, the SAF-aligned Defense Minister Hassan Kabroun stated that the army would press on with its fight to "eliminate the rebel militia," signaling strong resistance to a ceasefire.

The two-year conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 12 million, creating what the UN describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

06/11/2025

In a significant reform of Kenya's education system, the government is reportedly moving to abolish school categories and standardize fees for senior secondary schools at Ksh. 53,000. This move aims to enhance equity and access to quality education across the nation.

The proposed changes would streamline the admission process, ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to attend any senior secondary institution, regardless of its previous categorization. The uniform fee structure is intended to ease the financial burden on parents while providing schools with adequate resources to maintain high educational standards.

While the reforms are largely welcomed for their potential to foster a more inclusive education system, some stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the implementation logistics and the potential impact on schools currently operating with different fee structures. The Ministry of Education is expected to release further details and guidelines to facilitate a smooth transition.

06/11/2025

Regional Tensions Flare as Tanzania Unrest Affects Kenya

Post-election unrest in Tanzania has escalated regional tensions, directly impacting neighbouring Kenya following the heavily disputed October 29 general election.

Reports confirm that widespread protests against the election results, which have been marred by allegations of fraud and a brutal security crackdown, have spilt over the border, particularly at the vital Namanga border crossing with Kenya.

Security forces in Tanzania have reportedly fired tear gas close to the border area, forcing the closure of the crossing and severely disrupting cross-border trade. Agricultural goods are reportedly rotting in trucks held up for days.

While Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has blamed "foreigners" for instigating the deadly demonstrations, the primary impact on Kenya so far has been economic and logistical. Kenyan trade officials have voiced alarm, stating the instability is "impeding movement and curtailing investor confidence" across the East African Community.

The border unrest is a direct consequence of the nationwide protests that followed the election, which observers said fell short of democratic standards. Opposition parties have claimed that hundreds of protesters were killed in the security forces' response, allegations the government has not addressed amid a widespread internet shutdown that complicated the flow of verified information.

06/11/2025

OpenAI and AWS Forge $38 Billion Cloud Alliance, Ending Microsoft Exclusivity

In a landmark move reshaping the cloud computing landscape, generative AI leader OpenAI has signed a seven-year, multi-billion-dollar agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to secure massive infrastructure capacity for its AI workloads. While official figures were not disclosed, the deal is widely reported to be valued at $38 billion, making it one of the largest cloud computing commitments in tech history.

The partnership grants OpenAI immediate access to hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA GPUs and the ability to scale to tens of millions of CPUs across AWS's data centres. This infrastructure will be used to run and scale critical AI operations, including inference for its popular ChatGPT service and the training of its next-generation models. Full capacity deployment is targeted for before the end of 2026, with options for further expansion.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated the partnership "strengthens the broad compute ecosystem that will power this next era and bring advanced AI to everyone."
The agreement marks a significant shift in OpenAI's strategy, formally ending its exclusive cloud relationship with Microsoft Azure, its long-time backer and largest investor. While OpenAI’s ties with Microsoft remain substantial, this deal diversifies the AI powerhouse’s compute supply, addressing its rapidly growing, trillion-dollar demand for computational resources.

Amazon's stock surged following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in AWS's ability to handle the world's most demanding AI workloads and positioning the cloud giant firmly in the centre of the accelerating AI infrastructure race.

06/11/2025

KEBS Levy Expected to Raise Consumer Prices: Manufacturers Warn of Increased Costs

Consumers should brace for potential price increases on a wide range of goods after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) began enforcing a new 0.2 percent levy on the monthly turnover of all locally manufactured products.

The Standards (Standards Levy) Order, 2025, requires manufacturers to remit 0.2% of their monthly turnover net of VAT, excise duty, and discounts to KEBS via the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) by the 20th of the following month. The standards body says the new charge, which is capped at KSh 4 million annually for the first five years, is necessary to strengthen its regulatory capacity, improve market surveillance, and reduce reliance on government funding.

However, industry analysts and manufacturers have warned that the charge will inevitably translate into higher production costs, which will be passed on to the final consumer. Mid-sized companies, in particular, are expected to bear the brunt of the full 0.2 percent rate, leading to further strain on households already grappling with high inflation. Only manufacturers with an annual turnover below KSh 5 million are exempted from the payment.

KEBS has urged all manufacturers to register to comply with the new law, noting that failure to pay constitutes an offence under the Standards Act.

06/11/2025

Global Minimum Corporate Tax Takes Effect, Reshaping MNE Strategy

By Wau Monitor Financial Correspondent
The global tax landscape for large multinational enterprises (MNEs) officially entered a new era this year with the implementation of a 15% minimum corporate tax rate in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. This landmark reform, brokered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) under its Pillar Two framework, aims to curb decades of "race to the bottom" tax competition and aggressive profit shifting to low-tax havens.

The new rules, which began applying in many countries starting January 1, 2024, require MNEs with annual revenues exceeding €750 million (approximately $812 million) to pay an effective tax rate of at least 15% in every jurisdiction where they operate. If a subsidiary is taxed below this minimum rate in a low-tax country, its home country can impose a "top-up" tax to reach the 15% threshold.

The OECD estimates the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) will generate over $150 billion in additional global tax revenues annually. Countries including the UK, Japan, South Korea, and most EU Member States have taken steps to implement the change, forcing large corporations to immediately re-evaluate their international tax and business structures.

However, the path to full implementation is complex. Watchdog groups, such as the EU Tax Observatory, have already warned that several exemptions and "carve-outs" included in the final framework could significantly weaken the intended revenue gains. Furthermore, the United States has yet to pass the necessary domestic legislation to fully align with the Pillar Two framework, creating uncertainties about its application to U.S.-headquartered MNEs.

As the new regime solidifies, corporate tax departments face immense compliance challenges related to complex jurisdictional reporting and tax rate calculations, signalling a fundamental shift in how global profits are taxed.

06/11/2025

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney Dies at 84

Richard B. "Dick" Cheney, who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush, has passed away at the age of 84. The news was confirmed by a family spokesperson.

Cheney's long and influential career in Washington spanned several decades and administrations. Before his two terms as Vice President from 2001 to 2009, he held significant roles including White House Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, a nine-term Congressman representing Wyoming, and Secretary of Defence under President George H.W. Bush during the Gulf War.

Known for his hawkish foreign policy stance and his central role in the Bush administration's response to the September 11th attacks, Cheney was a highly influential figure, often described as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history. His career was marked by both significant policy achievements and considerable controversy, particularly concerning the Iraq War and enhanced interrogation techniques.

Cheney had a history of heart ailments, undergoing multiple heart attacks and a heart transplant in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Lynne Cheney, and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. Further details regarding memorial services are expected to be announced by the family.

06/11/2025

US Strike in Caribbean Allegedly Kills Two on Suspected Drug Boat
Reports indicate that a recent U.S. strike targeting a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean has resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Details surrounding the operation remain limited, but authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds. The incident highlights ongoing efforts by the United States and international partners to combat illicit drug trafficking in the region.

06/11/2025

Israel Recovers Body of Hostage from Gaza

Israel has confirmed the recovery of the body of another deceased hostage from the Gaza Strip. The individual was among those abducted during the October 7th attacks. The body has been identified, and the family has been notified. This recovery brings the total number of bodies of deceased hostages returned to Israel to several. Efforts to retrieve all remaining hostages, both living and deceased, continue.

06/11/2025

A devastating train collision in India claimed at least 11 people dead

05/11/2025

Earthquake Devastates Afghanistan, Leaving at Least 20 Dead

A powerful earthquake has struck western Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 20 people and causing widespread destruction. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 6.3, hit the region around 11:00 AM local time, with its epicenter located near the city of Herat.

Rescue efforts are currently underway, but access to some of the affected areas is challenging due to the rugged terrain and damaged infrastructure. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as more information becomes available from remote villages. Homes and buildings have collapsed, trapping residents and leaving many displaced.

The international community is beginning to assess the situation and prepare potential aid shipments to assist Afghanistan, a country already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis.

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