Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

An armed confrontation just outside the White House perimeter triggered a brief lockdown yesterday afternoon after Secret Service officers encountered what they described as a "suspicious individual" who later opened fire before running from the scene and being shot by law enforcement. The episode prompted a temporary lockdown at the White House as authorities moved to secure the area. Secret Service agents patrolling the outer edge of the White House complex first spotted the person, whom Secret Service Deputy Director…

BAMAKO, May 5 — Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goïta, has taken on the responsibilities of defence minister in an interim capacity after a sharp increase in attacks by armed groups, the government said. The move follows a series of strikes on military bases and critical facilities nationwide, a pattern that has deepened concern over security in the Sahel nation. Goïta, who came to power in coups in 2020 and 2021, is now expected to supervise military operations and shape national security policy more directly as the authorities…

Tuesday May 5, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council has cast doubt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s proposed consultation meeting, saying it has not yet decided whether to take part. Speaking for the opposition bloc, former MP Abdirahman Dheere said the council is still weighing the invitation and has not settled on a final response. “Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent an invitation, and we are still considering how to respond. We believe he is not sincere and may have other intentions, but we have not yet made a…

On fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala once again turned Manhattan into a theater of celebrity, drawing Hollywood, music, sports and style’s biggest names — with Beyonce, Madonna and Nicole Kidman leading the charge down the red carpet. Guests were asked to interpret the theme 'Fashion is Art', a concept tied directly to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s new exhibit, 'Costume Art'. Not every look hewed closely to the brief, but the gala — traditionally staged on the first Monday in May — still delivered…

Tuesday May 5, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia on Tuesday flatly denied reports that it had expelled the United Arab Emirates ambassador, calling the claims false and misleading. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was alarmed by the spread of what it described as baseless allegations across several media outlets and social media platforms. “The Ministry firmly rejects these claims and urges all media institutions and social media users to exercise accuracy, professionalism,…

In a decisive intervention, the national government has taken full control of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), with Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela placing the entity under administration amid mounting governance turmoil. Manamela said the move follows a protracted spell of governance failures, legal disputes and operational fragilities that have eroded NSFAS’s stability and credibility. The board has been rocked by multiple resignations, including that of its chairperson, while…

A possible case of human-to-human transmission may be unfolding among close contacts aboard the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization has said, as officials work to move the most serious cases off the vessel and bring the situation under control. The agency said the immediate priority was evacuating ⁠two sick people before allowing the ship, ⁠currently ‌stationed in the Atlantic near Cape Verde, to continue ⁠toward the Canary Islands. ⁠It said the risk to the wider public remained…

Tuesday May 5, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council has cast doubt on a consultation meeting proposed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, saying it has not yet settled on whether to attend. Speaking for the opposition bloc, former MP Abdirahman Dheere said the group is still weighing the invitation and has yet to arrive at a final stance. “Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent an invitation, and we are still considering how to respond. We believe he is not sincere and may have other intentions, but we have not yet made a…

Mali's military leader, Assimi Goïta, has stepped into the role of defense minister following the death of Sadio Camara, who was killed in a suspected suicide bombing amidst a spate of coordinated assaults. Goïta is poised to take over the defense portfolio in the wake of this tragic event. The nation is grappling with a severe security crisis, more than a week after a coalition of jihadists and separatist insurgents launched extensive attacks across the country. This operation, spearheaded by the Azawad Liberation Front…

By Margaret KalekyeTuesday May 5, 2026 Investigators are following fresh leads after security officers intercepted a bus carrying a concealed stockpile of ammunition and military-style items along the Thika–Garissa Highway in Kanyonyoo. The vehicle, registration number KCW 208A, operated by Buscar Sacco, had left Lamu for Nairobi when a multi-agency security team stopped it on Sunday for what was meant to be a routine inspection, instead uncovering what could have developed into a major security breach. A search of…