Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

U.S. launches fresh strike against ISIS-Somalia in Cal-Miskaad mountains MOGADISHU — The U.S. military carried out a precision airstrike late last week in the Cal-Miskaad mountain range near Bosaso, targeting fighters from the Islamic State in Somalia (ISIS-Somalia), U.S. Africa Command said Monday. The operation is the latest in a sustained campaign of air attacks that U.S. officials say are aimed at degrading the group’s ability to threaten American interests, Somali forces and regional allies. The strike, conducted in…

Healthy Snack Choices: 8 Chips That Cut Out the Garbage When it comes to snacking, the options can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many packaged snacks on the market are heavily processed and packed with unhealthy ingredients, while others are little more than empty calories. But don’t despair! With some guidance, you can find chips that satisfy your cravings without derailing your wellness journey. In this post, we explore eight chip brands recommended by Tara Collingwood, a renowned sports dietitian and co-author of the…

Arab League’s classroom diplomacy lands in Mogadishu On a humid Saturday in Mogadishu, Somalia’s prime minister received a delegation from the Arab League with a familiar promise: help for the country’s classrooms, and a renewed push to strengthen the teaching of Arabic. The visit, led by Zayd Al-Sabbaan, who oversees the Horn of Africa and Sudan at the Arab League, came with warm words about deepening cooperation on politics, economics and development. It also arrived with few specifics—no dollar amounts, no timelines, no…

Guineans Embrace New Constitution: A Step Towards Elections Amidst Military Rule In a historic turn of events, Guinea has taken a significant step toward establishing a new political landscape, as citizens reportedly rallied in overwhelming support of a new Constitution. With more than 89% of ballots cast in favor of the proposed changes, Guineans have expressed their desire for a democratic reboot, paving the way for forthcoming elections in a nation grappling with the aftermath of a military coup. A Vote for Change in a…

Long-acting HIV injection at $40 could reshape prevention — if the world can deliver it A potentially seismic shift in HIV prevention is quietly taking shape: a twice-yearly injectable drug, lenacapavir, has won backing from global health partners and is slated to be available to more than 100 low- and middle-income countries within the next two years — at a price that would make it accessible to millions. Under an agreement brokered by the Clinton Health Access Initiative with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates…

EU ministers push for a “drone wall” after airspace incursions rattle eastern members Brussels — European Union defence ministers have moved rapidly from talk to planning after a wave of drone incursions and airspace violations raised alarm among eastern member states, agreeing on the urgent need to create a so‑called "drone wall" to protect the bloc's borders. The call for action was sharpened this week after a series of incidents that included Denmark temporarily closing some airports following unidentified drone…

Jubbaland’s stark warning over alleged abuses in Mogadishu exposes Somalia’s deeper struggle over land, law and power In a sharply worded statement from Kismayo on Thursday, the Jubbaland administration accused security forces in Mogadishu of beating two parents and seizing their property by force—allegations that, if confirmed, would add to a long and painful ledger of evictions and abuses in Somalia’s crowded capital. Jubbaland said the attack occurred on Wednesday and described it as “a tragic incident in which innocent…

Tragedy Strikes Ethiopian Marathon Community with the Loss of Shewarge Alene The sun was just beginning to rise over Addis Ababa, casting a warm golden hue across the training fields, when the news spread like wildfire through the running community. Shewarge Alene, a celebrated Ethiopian marathon runner, tragically passed away after falling ill during a training session. She was only 30 years old. Alene had built a reputation as a formidable competitor, participating in 27 marathons since her debut in 2011. Her most recent…

Sudan on the Brink: A Call for Global Intervention In a poignant address this Thursday at the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris delivered a stark message to the international community. With a voice echoing the urgency of his nation’s plight, Idris implored the world to label the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, as a “terrorist militia.” His plea comes amid a brutal civil war that has entangled Sudan since April 2023, leaving a trail of devastation and displacement in…

Netanyahu’s UN rebuke exposes a deeper diplomatic rupture over Gaza When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium at the United Nations General Assembly this week, it was not just another speech. It was a coda to a seismic shift in Western policy — and a defensive, at times embittered, attempt to push back. "Over time, many world leaders buckled," Mr. Netanyahu told delegates, accusing governments of caving "under the pressure of a biased media, radical Islamist constituencies and antisemitic mobs." Scores…