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

JALALAQSI, Somalia — Heavy fighting broke out early Sunday in the central Somali town of Jalalaqsi as forces loyal to the district commissioner clashed with armed clan militias following the detention of a traditional community elder, according to officials and witnesses. Residents said they awoke to sustained gunfire as the two sides exchanged fire around district government buildings in Jalalaqsi, in the Hiiraan region. The violence began after local authorities detained a leading elder, prompting members of his clan to…

Nigerian Authorities Secure Release of Remaining Schoolchildren Abducted in Niger State Nigerian authorities have announced the successful release of the final 130 schoolchildren and staff abducted from St. Mary's Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger state, effectively bringing an end to one of the country’s most harrowing mass kidnappings. The ordeal began on November 21, when more than 250 individuals were taken during a brazen attack. Earlier this month, about 100 children had been freed, and 50 were reported to…

JOHANNESBURG — Nine people were killed and 10 wounded when gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Bekkersdal, a township in South Africa’s gold mining belt about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Johannesburg, authorities said. It is the second mass shooting at a drinking spot in the country this month. Deputy provincial police commissioner Maj. Gen. Fred Kekana said most of the attackers carried pistols and one had an AK-47 rifle. Three people were shot inside the bar and others were killed as they tried to flee, he told…

BEKKERSDAL, South Africa — A manhunt is under way after a mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg, left nine people dead and 10 others wounded, police said Monday. Authorities said about 12 unidentified gunmen arrived in two vehicles and opened fire indiscriminately on patrons. Seven men and two women were killed at the scene, police said, while some victims were shot as they tried to flee. Another person was reported killed nearby after dropping off a passenger. Police described the attackers as…

African Union council assesses Somalia security mission and funding challenges ADDIS ABABA — The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) convened a special session Thursday to review the evolving situation in Somalia and assess the operations of the African Union Mission for Support and Stabilization in Somalia (AUSSOM), with a sharp focus on the mission’s funding pressures and next steps. Officials briefed the PSC on recent political developments in Somalia, the financial strain facing AUSSOM and potential…

Thousands march along Lake Street to protest DHS ‘Operation Metro Surge’ in Minneapolis Arrests top 400 as enforcement enters third week; organizers say fear is emptying stores and streets MINNEAPOLIS — In bitter cold Saturday morning, thousands of people marched more than a mile down the Lake Street corridor to protest stepped-up immigration enforcement by the Department of Homeland Security as its Operation Metro Surge moves into a third week. The event — organized by COPAL, Unidos and local union groups — drew families,…

Australian police say two suspects in the Bondi Beach shooting trained with firearms in the countryside before allegedly targeting a Hanukkah event that left 15 people dead, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged tougher laws against hate speech and extremism and New South Wales moved on sweeping gun reforms. Father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, are accused of carrying out the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. Court documents released Monday allege the pair conducted “firearms…

Somalia, Egypt deepen ties in Cairo talks, eye embassy move to Mogadishu and stronger security coordination CAIRO — Somalia and Egypt pledged to advance a broader strategic partnership after their foreign ministers met Saturday on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, focusing on economic cooperation, security coordination and regional stability. Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali and Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Atty discussed plans to…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed Somalia’s ties with China as “historic” and “steady,” saying the relationship is rooted in mutual respect and sustained cooperation as the two countries marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Mohamud described China as a consistent and reliable partner since Somalia’s early days of independence, noting that Chinese-funded infrastructure remains central to daily life and economic activity. “China has supported…

The Release of Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolchildren Nigerian authorities have announced the release of 130 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state. This follows the earlier release of 100 students from the same incident. The children were kidnapped from St Mary's co-educational boarding school in Papiri. Niger state has faced recent abductions reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnapping. The government is dealing with multiple security concerns, including armed gangs and…