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

Malawi is facing a sharp escalation in violence against its seniors, with the Malawi Network of Older Persons Organizations warning that killings tied to witchcraft allegations are surging. The group reports 11 elderly people were murdered in the first three months of this year—putting the country on pace to surpass the 22 deaths documented across all of 2025. Executive Director Andrew Kavala called the trend “alarming,” noting that more than 300 older persons have been killed over witchcraft accusations since 2015. Urging…

As Pope Leo XIV begins a 10-day tour of Africa, a growing rift between the Vatican and President Donald Trump’s administration has come sharply into focus. Ties between the Holy See and Washington have long shifted with the political winds. But tensions escalated after the Pope suggested over the weekend that a “delusion of omnipotence” was helping drive the war on Iran, prompting a swift rebuke from the US President. “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” Trump said. In a social media post, he branded the leader of the Catholic…

Monday April 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Monday named Hussein Qasim Yusuf as the new Director General of the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), ending Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow’s tenure at the helm. The cabinet approved the appointment during its weekly meeting after a recommendation from the Ministry of Internal Security. The government said the leadership change is part of broader reforms designed to reinforce Somalia’s security institutions and improve immigration and…

Monday April 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — President Donald Trump has prolonged the U.S. national emergency over Somalia for another year, renewing a policy first put in place in 2010 to confront terrorism, piracy and the chronic instability that has long unsettled the Horn of Africa nation. In a notice dated April 8, 2026, the White House said the emergency, which was due to lapse on April 12, will now stay in force through April 12, 2027. The extension preserves U.S. sanctions and other legal tools intended to curb threats…

As Sudan grapples with a worsening food crisis, millions of citizens are struggling to get by on just one meal each day. This alarming situation, highlighted in a report released Monday by several NGOs, looms over a nation already embroiled in conflict. The ongoing war, marking its third year on Wednesday, pits the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It has plunged the country into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, forcing millions to flee and igniting widespread hunger.…

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has acknowledged defeat in parliamentary elections, ceding power to conservative challenger Peter Magyar — a former government insider turned political newcomer who campaigned on a promise of “system change”. “The election results, though not yet final, are clear and understandable; for us, they are painful but unambiguous,” Mr Orbán said after overseeing the central European country for 16 years. “We have not been entrusted with the responsibility and opportunity to govern.…

MOGADISHU, April 13, 2026 — Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Monday issued a stark warning that the country’s natural wealth, including its prospective oil reserves, could be vulnerable to outside pressure unless Somalia develops a military strong enough to protect it. Barre, speaking in the context of shifting global power and rising rivalry over strategic resources, said the erosion of confidence in international institutions and the weakening of the traditional rules-based order have made resource competition…

Monday April 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council on Sunday issued a sharp warning against politicizing the Somali National Army, saying the country’s security forces must be protected from clan rivalry and partisan pressure if they are to remain effective and credible. In a statement released to coincide with the 66th anniversary of the army’s founding on April 12, the council congratulated servicemen and women and praised their role in defending the nation, preserving unity and helping maintain public…

I Drank Fresh Citrus Juice Daily for 30 Days After 30 days of drinking freshly squeezed citrus juice, one writer said she felt less stomach bloat and improved digestive comfort. At the beginning of the year, one writer increased her exercise routine, started eating healthier and invested more in her well-being, including making freshly squeezed juice as a morning habit. She said she also aimed to support her gut health. She described preferring fresh fruit snacks over processed options and said citrus fruits offer a mild…

Polling stations in Benin have officially closed following a significant turnout, with nearly eight million voters participating in the presidential election. Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is anticipated to emerge as the victor. Patrice Talon, the current president, is concluding his tenure after serving two five-year terms and navigating a coup attempt last December. Talon has publicly supported his 49-year-old finance minister, Wadagni, as his successor to guide the next administration. The primary opposition party,…