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

Jubaland frees opposition Senator Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after 16 months, signaling reconciliation push KISMAYO, Somalia — The Jubaland administration on Sunday released federal senator and opposition figure Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after nearly 16 months in detention, a move officials cast as an attempt to defuse tensions and promote political reconciliation in the semi-autonomous region. Gaboose, who had been under house arrest since 2024, was freed in Kismayo. Hours later, Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe convened…

Snapchat says it has blocked or disabled 415,000 accounts in Australia tied to users under 16 since the country’s world-first social media crackdown took effect, while warning that some minors may still be slipping past age checks. The platform urged Australian authorities to require app stores to verify ages before downloads as an “additional safeguard” for the law, which compels major platforms to stop underage users from holding accounts. The measures took effect on Dec. 10 and apply to Snapchat, Meta, TikTok and YouTube,…

South African singer Tyla has won her second Grammy, taking the Best African Music Performance award for "Push-to-Start," a track from her debut album, the Recording Academy announced Monday. The victory makes Tyla the first artist to win the category twice after her 2024 win for the global hit "Water." The award caps a rapid rise for the Johannesburg-born performer, whose blend of pop, R&B and South African township sounds has found a wide international audience. The Recording Academy recognized "Push-to-Start" amid a…

Somalia blocks planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security teams from landing in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Monday blocked two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, citing national security concerns ahead of planned political talks in the capital. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the arrival of a heavily armed contingent tied to the two regional leaders posed an…

Trump says Kennedy Center to close for two years for ‘complete rebuilding’ starting July 4 President Donald Trump said he will temporarily close Washington’s Kennedy Center for roughly two years beginning July 4 — the nation’s 250th anniversary — to undertake what he called a “complete rebuilding” of the landmark performing arts complex. The plan, announced on his Truth Social platform, is subject to approval by the center’s board, which Trump now chairs and has handpicked. “I have determined that the fastest way to bring…

Return of Worshippers After Abduction in Kajuru In a significant development, 80 worshippers who escaped abduction during the attack on Kurmin Wali in the Kajuru Local Government Area have returned home after spending approximately two weeks hiding in neighboring villages. Village Head Ishaku Dan'azumi provided an update on the situation, revealing that while initial reports indicated 177 individuals were abducted, further investigations clarified that 80 had successfully fled to safety. Unfortunately, 86 worshippers…

Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on foot only, allowing Palestinians to leave the enclave and enabling some to return after fleeing the war, authorities said. The movement will be limited and subject to Israeli security checks for those entering and exiting, with Israel and Egypt expected to cap the number of travelers. An Israeli security official said European monitoring teams have arrived at Rafah, which “has now opened to the movement of residents, for both entry and exit.” Israel seized…

Tragic Mine Collapse in Eastern Congo Claims Over 200 Lives At least 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed after heavy rains in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident highlights not only the dangers associated with artisanal mining but also the broader implications of illegal resource exploitation in conflict zones. According to rebel authorities, women, children, and artisanal miners were among the victims of this catastrophe, with around 20 survivors receiving treatment in local…

Somalia bars planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security from Mogadishu ahead of talks MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Sunday defended its decision to block two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing in Mogadishu, citing strict protocols in place for the capital ahead of a planned national consultative meeting. The Ministry of Interior said the aircraft were transporting armed personnel and weapons in violation of security rules governing…

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Mogadishu — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia urged the federal government and regional leaders to prioritize dialogue on elections and other national issues after a security dispute prevented advance teams from Puntland State and Jubaland from arriving in the capital for a planned consultative forum. In a brief statement posted on social media, UNTMIS said it regretted that preparatory delegations from the two semi-autonomous regions were unable to reach Mogadishu because…