Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Somali forces kill at least 56 Al‑Shabaab fighters in coordinated raid on Lower Jubba stronghold Joint SNA–Jubaland operation targets Jamaame area; 20 suspects captured, hideouts destroyed MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali security officials say at least 56 Al‑Shabaab fighters were killed and 20 others captured during a major operation in Lower Jubba, marking one of the most significant joint actions by federal and regional forces in the area in recent months. The raid, described by security sources as carefully planned, was…

Somalia meet Bahrain in a timely test ahead of regional fixtures Somalia face Bahrain in a friendly on Monday at 6:30 p.m. local time at Bahrain National Stadium, a tune-up with immediate stakes for the hosts and long-term value for the visitors. The match arrives two days before Bahrain’s Arab Cup qualifier against Djibouti in Doha, and offers Somalia a rare window to build cohesion and benchmark progress. Both staff groups see the fixture as an examination as much as a contest. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bahrain…

Reinstating English in Nigerian Education: A Policy Shift Sparks Debate The Nigerian government has officially scrapped a three-year-old policy that mandated the teaching of indigenous languages in early education, reinstating English as the medium of instruction from pre-primary all the way to university levels. This sudden policy reversal has ignited a spirited discourse among education specialists, parents, and analysts alike. The Original Policy and Its Challenges Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the…

Peace Framework Signed in Qatar: A New Dawn for Eastern DR Congo? In a significant development, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have entered into a peace framework in Qatar, amidst ongoing efforts to cease decades of conflict that have ravaged eastern DR Congo. This agreement, brokered with the involvement of international mediators, including the United States and the African Union, represents a glimmer of hope as both parties strive for stability in a region plagued…

G20 in Johannesburg: A test of multilateralism as Africa’s priorities meet fracturing diplomacy The historic 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg (November 22–23) arrives with symbolic weight — the first time the grouping meets on African soil — and with urgent expectations. Under South Africa’s presidency theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” hosts have signalled a push to center issues that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries: debt sustainability, climate finance, and rising inequality. Yet the…

Overview: a surge in Irish passport applications from the UK Nearly a quarter of a million people living in the United Kingdom applied for Irish passports in 2024, the highest number recorded since the UK formally left the European Union. The wave of applications cuts across Britain and Northern Ireland and reflects both practical responses to Brexit and longer-running family ties. Department of Foreign Affairs figures show 242,772 applications in 2024. Just over half (53%) of those applications came from people living…

Sudan’s Conflict: A Nation on the Brink of Partition After 19 months of intense conflict, Sudan stands at the crossroads of transformation and potential dissolution. The battle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has evolved from a power struggle into a complex conflict threatening to redraw the nation’s borders. As global attention wavers, the possibility of a protracted partition looms large. Shifting Battle Lines and the Asymmetric War Recent developments have…

Breaking News: Bridge Collapse at DRC Cobalt Mine Claims 32 Lives In a tragic incident, a bridge collapse at a cobalt mine in Lualaba province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has resulted in the deaths of at least 32 informal miners. The accident occurred on Saturday at the Kalando mine, approximately 42 kilometers southeast of Kolwezi, the provincial capital. Details of the Incident Provincial interior minister Roy Kaumba Mayonde reported that the bridge fell onto a flooded area of the mine, where wildcat miners were…

Airstrikes Reported on Al-Shabaab-Held Jamame as Somali Forces Advance KISMAYO, Somalia — Multiple airstrikes struck the Al-Shabaab-held town of Jamame in Lower Jubba on Friday, local sources and witnesses said, coming during a coordinated operation that included ground actions by the Somali National Army (SNA) and allied regional forces. What happened Residents and local media reported a series of precision strikes on positions in Jamame. Some accounts identified the strikes as being carried out with support from the US…

Somali regional forces kill at least seven al‑Shabaab militants in Galgaduud clash MOGADISHU, Somalia — Regional forces in central Somalia said they killed at least seven al‑Shabaab fighters during a fierce overnight clash in the Ceelahelay area of Galgaduud, marking one of the most significant engagements in months as the campaign against the insurgent group continues. The clash Galmudug state’s Darwish Forces fought with al‑Shabaab in Ceelahelay, with support from Somali national troops, regional commanders said Sunday.…