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

By George Obulutsa and Vincent Mumo NzilaniWednesday May 20, 2026 People walk during a strike by public transport operators driven by rising fuel costs, linked to global supply pressures following the war in Iran, in Githurai area of Nairobi, Kenya May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi Purchase Licensing Rights Kenya’s public transport strike, launched over fuel price increases tied to the war in Iran, was suspended on Tuesday after the government struck an interim deal with associations representing bus and minibus owners.…

A family feud has spilled into the courts: Wicknell Chivayo’s former mother-in-law, Tabitha Madzikanda, has been arrested on suspicion of fraud, accused of attempting to divert U.S.$1.4 million from a trust established for her grandchildren. Madzikanda, who works at FBC Bank, allegedly tried to recruit colleagues to remove Chivayo as a signatory on a US$5 million account, after which they purportedly sought to channel the funds into a property development project involving the construction of cluster houses. Her arrest…

Alarm over the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo intensified as the head of the World Health Organization warned that the epidemic’s reach and momentum are cause for serious concern. "Early on Sunday, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over an epidemic of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the World Health Assembly in Geneva. "I did not do this lightly... I'm deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic," he said. His remarks…

Wednesday May 20, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh has sharply rebuked a cultural delegation from Puntland State after its members appeared at North Western State of Somalia’s May 18 commemoration in Hargeisa. Hosh said it was inappropriate for representatives from Puntland State to take part in an event that celebrates North Western State of Somalia’s 1991 breakaway from Somalia, a move the federal government still views as a direct threat to the country’s unity and territorial…

After coordinated protests by the anti-immigrant group March and March targeting undocumented migrants in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Durban, Human Rights Watch urged South African authorities to act decisively. South Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka said authorities "should intensify efforts to address anti-immigrant sentiments and violence to ensure the safety and protection of at-risk foreign nationals in the country," calling for stronger measures to curb hostility and safeguard…

Hope of a near-term breakthrough in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran grew after two Chinese oil tankers made it out of the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data, while upbeat remarks from the ⁠US President and the Vice President pointed to possible movement toward a deal. President Donald Trump said yesterday that the war could end "very quickly", and Vice President JD Vance pointed to progress in talks with Tehran on an agreement to halt the fighting. "We're in a pretty good spot here," Mr Vance told a White House…

Wednesday May 20, 2026 In a notable diplomatic breakthrough, North Western State of Somalia says it will open an embassy in Jerusalem while Israel prepares to establish its own representation in Hargeisa “soon,” according to Mohamed Hagi, the envoy from Somalia’s breakaway region to Israel. Hagi said the move follows Israel’s formal recognition of North Western State of Somalia’s independence several months ago, describing it on X on Tuesday as evidence of “growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation…

The stage is set for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the qualifying rounds officially drawn at the Egyptian Football Association's headquarters. A total of 48 nations have been organized into 12 groups of four, igniting the competition for coveted spots in the tournament. This vibrant event is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, who will share hosting duties. Defending champions Morocco head Group A, where they will compete against Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho. Key…

Wednesday May 20, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s principal opposition alliance said Tuesday it will begin weekly street protests in Mogadishu on June 4, stepping up pressure on the federal government after negotiations collapsed over the country’s electoral roadmap. The Somali Salvation Council said the demonstrations will be staged every Thursday until the sides reach a political settlement on elections. Opposition leaders framed the rallies as peaceful and urged residents of the capital to join them after the Eid…

The World Health Organization raised alarms on Tuesday over the rapid escalation of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has resulted in an estimated 131 fatalities. In response to the surge, the WHO declared the situation an international health emergency, convening an emergency meeting to address the crisis. The current outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no vaccine or specific treatment exists, highlighting a significant challenge as this strain has claimed the…