Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Amnesty International has launched a scathing indictment against the Nigerian government, asserting that officials have failed to safeguard Fulani pastoralists detained in Kwara State. The organization alleges that a staggering 150 individuals—predominantly children—succumbed to dire conditions within a military-managed facility where displaced persons endured lengthy incarceration. According to the report, these tragic deaths occurred among roughly 1,500 Fulani individuals, including men, women, and children, who were…

Citing transparency concerns, Zambia has pushed back the Summit, saying the delay was "necessitated by the need for comprehensive disclosure relating to key thematic issues proposed for discussion during the Summit." Earlier, the technology and science minister said the pause was intended to allow for "clearances" of some speakers.

Hungary’s incoming leader, Peter Magyar, says EU money frozen during Viktor Orban’s long standoff with Brussels could begin reaching Budapest soon, after high-level talks on his first trip to the Belgian capital since his election victory. The conservative politician flew to the centre of the European Union before formally taking office next month, signalling an early break with the rancour that defined Mr Orban’s 16 years in power. After what he described as a “highly constructive” meeting with European Commission president…

Friday May 1, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali National Army forces have killed at least 22 Al-Shabaab militants in a planned offensive in the Lower Shabelle region, the Ministry of Defense said Wednesday. In a statement, the ministry said the 72-hour operation struck militant positions in the Bulo Abdalla area, situated between Mubarak and Ugunji. The assault combined ground fighting with coordinated airstrikes, and officials said it left 22 militants dead, among them a senior figure identified as Abdirahman Jeeri. Authorities…

Iran has threatened “long and painful strikes” on American positions if Washington resumes attacks and presses its claim over the Strait of Hormuz, injecting fresh uncertainty into US efforts to assemble a coalition to reopen the crucial waterway. Now two months into the US-Israeli war with Iran, the narrow sea passage remains shut, cutting off 20% of global oil and gas supplies. The disruption has driven energy prices sharply higher and intensified fears that the world economy could slide toward a downturn. Attempts to…

Warning lights over inflation are flashing brighter across the euro zone, and while the European Central Bank kept interest rates on hold as expected today, it made clear that pressure is building for rate cuts to give way to hikes, with markets now looking to June for the first move. Inflation climbed to 3% this month, comfortably above the bank's 2% target, and policymakers now face the prospect of further acceleration after the Iran war drove oil prices to their highest level in four years. ECB President Christine Lagarde…

Thursday April 30, 2026 Atletico Madrid and Arsenal will head to London with everything still hanging in the balance after a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night. Both sides scored from the penalty spot, but Arsenal were left furious after a late VAR review wiped out what appeared to be a strong case for a second spot-kick that could have swung the tie their way. Atletico named Ademola Lookman on the left and Jan Oblak in goal, while Johnny Cardoso…

TikTok has won a crucial reprieve in its battle over European user data, after the Supreme Court here confirmed the company may continue transferring data from the European Union to China while it pursues an appeal against a regulator’s order to stop the practice over privacy concerns. The platform’s lead EU privacy watchdog, the Irish Data Protection Commission, imposed a €530m fine on the short-video app last May and directed it to suspend data transfers to China unless its processing was brought into ⁠compliance within…

Mohamed Gabobe in Mogadishu and Rachel SavageThursday April 30, 2026 The motor vessel Sward was hijacked on Sunday. Photograph: EU naval force Operation ATALANTA A fresh wave of hijackings off Somalia has jolted one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors, with three vessels seized in a week and memories of the country’s pirate era suddenly back in focus. The merchant vessel Sward was captured on 26 April, just one day after a dhow was taken. Those incidents came after the 21 April hijacking of Honour 25, a motor…

Britain has moved to bolster protection for Jewish communities after a fresh attack in north London sharpened fears over antisemitism and security, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising immediate support and urging the country to stand together. Under fire from British Jews who say ministers have too often failed to keep them safe, Mr Starmer said funding for synagogues and other community sites would be increased at once, while stressing that the response cannot rest on security measures alone and that the country…