Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

NAIROBI, Kenya — The death toll from torrential rains and flash floods that ripped through Nairobi and other parts of Kenya has nearly doubled to 42, the government said late Sunday, as military-led teams combed submerged neighborhoods and riverbanks for the missing. Intense downpours on Friday swamped roads, swept away vehicles and inundated homes and workshops in low-lying districts, including the Grogan area of downtown Nairobi, a hub for auto garages and spare parts traders. Floodwaters also disrupted traffic at the…

Iran and Israel long fought in the shadows — through intelligence operations, cyberattacks, covert sabotage and proxy warfare — calibrating pressure without crossing into direct war. That balance is faltering. The shadow conflict is tilting toward open confrontation, reshaping the Middle East’s security architecture and rippling through energy markets, shipping lanes and fragile regional politics from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. For decades, Tehran relied on partners such as Hezbollah in…

Human Rights Watch Urges Ghana to Uphold Equality Amid LGBT Bill Revival Human Rights Watch is calling upon Ghanaian leaders to uphold international legal protections that ensure equality, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, and privacy for all citizens. This urgent appeal follows the recent reintroduction of a controversial bill targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the country. The legislation, which aims to expand criminal sanctions against same-sex conduct, was initially passed…

‘Operation Buckeye’ and a barrage of online attacks leave Somali Americans in Columbus living with fear — and facing an uncertain future COLUMBUS, Ohio — The men began circling the 161 Child Care center just after dawn. They idled in their cars, cracked their windows and spoke across the December cold: “We’re exposing all of you. Every single one of you, you’re all going back.” Days later, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, someone broke into the Somali American–owned daycare on the city’s north side. For co-owner Abukar…

As the Republic of the Congo approaches a March 15 presidential election widely viewed as tightly controlled, attention is fixed on Denis Sassou Nguesso — the 82-year-old incumbent seeking what researchers say will be effectively a fifth consecutive term since his 1997 return to power. Analysts Remadji Hoinathy and Nirvaly Mooloo of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) warn that the vote is unlikely to alter the country's political trajectory, suggesting instead that the ruling Parti Congolais du Travail (PCT) will…

Oil prices leap past $100 as Iran conflict chokes Hormuz, stoking global food inflation risk LONDON — Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel this week, the highest since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as escalating conflict involving U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran on Feb. 28 rattled energy markets and raised the specter of renewed food inflation worldwide. The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which roughly 20% of global oil supply moves — has seen marine traffic…

Djibouti’s Red Sea dilemma: How the Middle East war could reroute trade and test a strategic hub PARIS — Tuesday, March 10, 2026 — The war in the Middle East is no longer just a battlefield story. It is a shock rippling through global trade routes and energy markets, with outsized consequences for small, strategic economies. At the mouth of the Red Sea, Djibouti’s position at Bab el-Mandeb has long been an asset. In a protracted crisis, it could become a vulnerability. This is a classic exposure problem. Djibouti has built a…

Belgium’s prime minister vowed to combat antisemitism after a pre-dawn explosion damaged a synagogue in the eastern city of Liege on Monday, as federal prosecutors who handle organized crime and terrorism took charge of the investigation. No injuries were reported. Police said the blast occurred around 4 a.m. local time (3 a.m. Irish time) in front of the synagogue, blowing out windows in buildings across the street. Officers quickly established a security perimeter around the site. Authorities described the incident as…

U.S. Embassy Issues Security Warning for Americans in Nigeria The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has issued a crucial security advisory, alerting American citizens to potential terrorist threats specifically targeting U.S. facilities, including schools and personnel. This warning comes amidst heightened global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. In an official statement, the embassy urged Americans in Nigeria to adopt several precautionary measures. Citizens are advised to vary their travel routes and…

U.S. SOCAFRICA chief meets Jubbaland leader in Kismayo to deepen fight against al-Shabab KISMAYO, Somalia — The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa met Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe in Kismayo on Monday to discuss ongoing military operations against al-Shabab and expanded security cooperation in southern Somalia, officials said. Maj. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr.’s visit comes amid intensified counterterrorism efforts in the Jubbaland region, where Somali forces, backed by international partners,…