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

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will travel to China beginning tomorrow for a five-day visit, the first by an Irish leader since 2012, as Beijing moves to shore up ties with individual European Union members amid deepening trade and security frictions. China’s foreign ministry announced the trip, which runs through Thursday, saying Beijing “is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial co-operation with Ireland.” Martin is due to meet Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji,…

UNITED NATIONS — Somalia on Friday assumed the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council for January, its first time at the helm since serving on the council in 1971-72. Calling the moment historic, Somalia’s U.N. ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said the presidency follows the country’s return to the council after 54 years and “is a significant milestone.” He said Somalia’s election and stewardship “symbolizes Somalia’s commitment to strengthening multilateralism.” Osman said that over the past year Somalia has sought…

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has highlighted three critical conflicts in Africa that are poised to carry into 2026, following a tumultuous year marred by violence and instability. The ICG's "conflicts to watch" report names Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the volatile situation in Mali and Burkina Faso as focal points that require immediate international attention. Having faced a devastating escalation in violence throughout 2025, these regions find themselves at a pivotal juncture. Sudan, under the shadow of a…

Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ doctrine is being tested across three regions, as the White House pairs anti-interventionist rhetoric with rapid, forceful action in Venezuela, Nigeria and the Middle East. Nearly a year after returning to office promising to be a “peacemaker and unifier,” President Donald Trump has ordered large-scale military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro, the country’s leftist strongman. The raid, launched at the start of the new year, follows a Christmas Day…

Explosions, low-flying aircraft rattle Caracas overnight as tensions with U.S. simmer CARACAS, Venezuela — At least seven explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft jolted Venezuela’s capital around 2 a.m. local time Saturday, prompting residents in several neighborhoods to rush into the streets. The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was not clear what caused the blasts, and there were no immediate details on damage or casualties. Residents across multiple areas of Caracas…

Trump says U.S. forces captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, flew him out of the country President Donald Trump announced today that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country, a stunning turn in a 12-year rule defined by economic collapse, political repression and a standoff with Washington. Trump also said Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was taken into custody. Maduro, 63, a socialist and the handpicked successor to the late Hugo Chávez, had long been accused by domestic opponents and…

U.S. strikes rock Caracas as Trump claims capture of Maduro; Venezuela declares state of emergency Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States launched a large-scale military strike on Venezuela early Saturday, shaking the capital with explosions as President Donald Trump claimed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of the country. The assertion was immediately denied by Venezuelan authorities and could not be independently verified. Here’s what we…

President Donald Trump said today that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of the country, a stunning turn in a tumultuous chapter that has defined Venezuela’s political and economic crisis for more than a decade. Trump added that Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also apprehended. Maduro, 63, the handpicked successor to the late Hugo Chávez, has ruled Venezuela for more than 12 years and faced sustained accusations of authoritarianism, human rights abuses and sham elections. The United…

Somalia’s Parliament Passes Medicine Bill to Tackle Counterfeit Drugs; Lawmakers Weigh Tobacco Control Pact MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Saturday approved the Medicine Bill, a landmark piece of health legislation aimed at tightening oversight of pharmaceuticals after years of weak regulation and widespread concerns over counterfeit and substandard drugs. The House of the People passed the bill during the 25th meeting of its seventh session, with 141 lawmakers voting in favor, one abstention and no…

Swiss police have identified the bodies of four Swiss victims, including two minors, from the New Year’s bar fire that tore through Le Constellation in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, as the national death toll rose to 40 and families braced for further grim confirmations. Valais canton police said investigators identified a 21-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, a 16-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy. Their remains have been returned to their families while authorities continue the painstaking process of confirming…