Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Nigeria Faces Second Mass School Abduction in a Week Nigeria is grappling with a major security crisis following a second mass abduction from a school within a week. Christian organizations and state officials are responding to escalating concerns about the safety of students and teachers in the region. 315 students and teachers abducted from St Mary's school in Niger state. Second mass school kidnapping in a week, following abductions in Kebbi state. Security measures heightened with school closures ordered in…

BOSASO, Somalia — Puntland State’s counterterrorism forces say an airstrike carried out with international partners killed at least five fighters from the Islamic State group (ISIS) as they fled through the Cal-Miskaad Mountains, intensifying a sweeping operation in northern Somalia. Puntland State officials say the strike hit the Barakalash area of the Baalade Valley. At least five ISIS militants were killed, according to the Puntland State Counter-Terrorism Forces. Further details are expected from U.S. Africa…

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 22 — Rep. Ilhan Omar on Friday responded to President Donald Trump’s move to end Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals, a decision announced on Twitter that injects fresh uncertainty into one of Minnesota’s most deeply rooted immigrant communities. Omar, a Somali American Democrat who represents Minnesota’s 5th District, told reporters: “Most of us Somali Americans are citizens; the policy change will not affect us.” The program, commonly known as TPS, allows people from countries facing…

Mass School Abduction in Niger State, Nigeria 227 pupils and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s School in Niger State. This follows the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. The attacks exemplify ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. Details of the Niger State Incident The recent abduction involved 215 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution. Attackers stormed the premises early on Friday morning. The school is located near a major road and operates alongside a…

G-20 Summit in South Africa: Bridging Global Inequality The first-ever Group of 20 summit in Africa has commenced in South Africa with leaders gathering to address global challenges. The summit is marked by the absence of the United States, highlighting diplomatic tensions. The summit is held in Soweto, South Africa, a place with historical significance. Key agenda includes climate change, debt relief, and global inequality. The absence of the U.S. may influence the outcomes of the summit. South Africa’s…

Historic G-20 Summit in South Africa Moves Forward Without U.S. The G-20 summit in South Africa made an unprecedented move by adopting its declaration without the United States, which boycotted the event over diplomatic tensions. This break in protocol signals a significant step for the summit hosted in Africa for the first time. The declaration was adopted at the start of the summit, a departure from standard procedure. South Africa positioned this as a victory amid U.S. absence. Key focuses include climate…

AFGOYE, Somalia — The Somali National Army rescued more than 30 civilians from Al-Shabaab detention sites during a targeted operation in Lower Shabelle, the Ministry of Defence said, marking one of the most significant hostage recoveries in recent months. The raid unfolded in Buula Madiina, a rural area in Afgoye district, where hostages were being held in makeshift camps, ministry officials said. Among those freed were at least two women. Somali forces killed three Al-Shabaab operatives guarding the compound and…

A Somali businessman was shot dead inside his shop in Philippi, Cape Town, on Friday night, underscoring a rise in violent attacks targeting Somali traders in South Africa. The victim was identified by local sources as Mahmoud Abdi Osman. Osman was killed when armed assailants entered his store and opened fire, according to people familiar with the incident. Philippi is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous areas for Somali business owners, who have been repeatedly targeted in robberies and shootings. South African…

Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane has ordered a halt to the recruitment of new commissioners for Lesotho's electoral commission after a high court application challenged the constitutionality of the process. The applicants, who moved to the High Court, raised concerns about what they described as a "peculiar manner" in which an employment consulting firm was procured to assist the commission, and cited other unspecified irregularities that they say have marred the selection exercise. After hearing arguments from the parties,…

President Donald Trump said Thursday he had a "very productive meeting" with New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani after the two met in the Oval Office to discuss cost-of-living pressures and public safety in the nation’s largest city. The session, requested by Mamdani, came amid earlier public sparring between the two leaders. Trump had threatened to withhold federal funding for New York and used inflammatory language to describe the 34-year-old former state lawmaker — calling him a "radical left lunatic," a communist…