Axadle Editorial Desk

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has set off another round of diplomatic unease, this time by calling for $1 billion in compensation for Uganda’s mission in Somalia while also saying he wants to marry the “most beautiful woman” in Turkey. The commander of Uganda’s armed forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni made the remarks in a series of striking statements that once again highlighted his flair for provocation. Kainerugaba said marrying a Turkish national was a personal requirement,…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia marked a major military milestone on Sunday as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud поздравulated members of the Somali National Army and their families on the force’s 66th anniversary. At a ceremony in Mogadishu, Mohamud highlighted the army’s role in safeguarding the country and protecting civilians, saying its work remains a cornerstone of Somalia’s state-building drive. “Heroes of the Somali National Army have saved 20 million Somalis. They do not only defend with weapons, but…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday moved to underscore Uganda’s deep and costly military involvement in Somalia, stressing that Kampala has continued to bankroll troop deployments beyond the African Union mandate and has absorbed heavy losses in hardware without compensation. The president’s remarks offered a diplomatic rebuttal to recent pointed comments from Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has drawn attention for his criticism of foreign influence in the Horn of…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s music community is mourning the death of Shankaroon Ahmed Yusuf, better known as Sagal, one of the best-known voices of the celebrated Waaberi band. She died Saturday in the United States, where she had lived for several years, after reportedly being ill. Shankaroon first gained national recognition in the 1970s, during a period when Somalia’s state-backed arts scene was flourishing. She went on to become a key member of the Somali National Army band, which later joined with…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia is on the verge of its first offshore deep-water drilling campaign, with Petroleum and Minerals Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed saying Saturday that the Curad-1 exploratory well will be drilled in Galmudug State, far out at sea between Mareeg and Harardheere and roughly 275 kilometers (171 miles) from land. Shire stressed that the site sits in deep waters well beyond the coast, describing the operation as taking place “very far from land.” “Curad-1 will be drilled offshore in…

Iran warns of 'firm response' to military transit through Strait of Hormuz TEHRAN - Iran said any military vessel attempting to move through the Strait of Hormuz would meet a "firm and decisive response," in a statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The IRGC said it exercises "full and intelligent control" over the strategic waterway, adding that passage is allowed only for non-military ships and only under defined regulations. It also rejected reports that US vessels had crossed the strait,…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Somalia’s president, Hassan Mohamud, has hailed referee Omar Artan after the 34-year-old became the first Somalian selected to officiate at a World Cup finals. FIFA named Artan among 52 referees chosen for the June-July tournament, which will be staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Mohamud said the appointment had lifted Somalia’s standing on the world stage. "I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar, as he has become a symbol of inspiration for the new…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Pakistan has made its first public military gesture under a newly signed defence pact with Saudi Arabia, sending fighter jets to the kingdom while it simultaneously helps broker ceasefire talks meant to halt weeks of regional conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. The aircraft, a mix of fighter and support jets, arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Saturday, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defence. The deployment took place under a collective defence agreement…

Sunday April 12, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia and Libya have moved to bring home roughly 400 Somali nationals held in Libyan prisons after senior officials met in Tripoli over the weekend, according to authorities. The deal emerged from a consultative session between Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, and Libya’s acting Foreign Minister, Taher Al-Baour. Their discussions centered on deepening diplomatic relations while widening cooperation on migration and security.…

MOGADISHU, Nov 17 — Turkey said on Saturday that its offshore drilling campaign off Somalia could begin yielding oil within six to nine months, after Ankara launched its first deep-sea energy project beyond its own waters. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar called the start of drilling a “historic” moment in Turkey-Somalia ties, saying it opens a new chapter in efforts to tap Somalia’s offshore energy resources. At a ceremony in Mogadishu on Friday to receive the Çağrı Bey ship, Bayraktar said the…