Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

NAIROBI, KENYA (AXADLE) - Air France Temporarily Halts Flights Above Red Sea; "Luminous Object" Sighting Sparks Alarm A pivotal decision has been made by Air France to halt its flights across the Red Sea. This interruption stems from reports by the crew who spotted an unusual "luminous object soaring" in the skies near Sudan. The curious event involved Flight 934, a Boeing 777-200ER, which embarked on a journey from Paris to Madagascar. But on Sunday, it was forced into an emergency landing due to what was described as a…

Commemoration for Journalists in Somalia Sparks a Strong Plea for Justice MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a remarkable gathering on November 2, 2024, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), backed by UNESCO and the Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF), observed the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. This heartfelt ceremony honored Somali journalists who laid down their lives in pursuit of the truth and rallied for accountability and action against impunity. The event saw a show of unity as…

Recent satellite images of Spain's Valencia region vividly illustrate the immense destruction wrought by catastrophic flooding. Captured by the commercial earth imaging company Planet Labs, these photos were taken in the aftermath of a torrential storm system that unleashed an astonishing amount of rainfall—equivalent to an entire year’s worth—across southeastern Spain within just a few hours, specifically from the day after Tuesday. Tragically, the disaster has claimed at least 211 lives, marking it as one of the most…

President William Ruto recently expressed his admiration for the more than eight million Kenyans who diligently fulfilled their tax responsibilities by June 30. These citizens not only met but exceeded the set targets by an impressive 26%. He specifically recognized Lillian Nyawanda and Risper Muthoni Simiyu for their outstanding achievements in surpassing tax collection benchmarks. During the Taxpayers’ Day Awards ceremony held at State House in Nairobi on November 2, 2024, Ruto took a moment to celebrate these top…

Ethiopia: Unresolved Elements in Pretoria Agreement, TPLF Voices Concerns ADDIS ABABA - On the milestone marking two years since the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, better known as the Pretoria Agreement, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) expressed their dissatisfaction with numerous unresolved matters. Many issues are still dangling in limbo despite the deadlines set in Pretoria and later restated in Nairobi. The TPLF, entangled in its own internal disputes, recognized the agreement's significant…

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke to Parliament, highlighting the pressing need to implement essential election laws as Somalia gears up for its forthcoming elections. His comments coincide with lawmakers voting to extend their legislative session. CREDIT/ SONNA Mogadishu (AX) — This month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud successfully persuaded Somalia's parliament to remain in session, thus postponing their planned recess to address vital legislative issues, particularly those related to the upcoming elections. A…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a surprising twist of events, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown the door to a top brass member of the Somali National Army (SNA), just when the nation is intensely embroiled in its campaign against Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab militants, notorious for causing upheaval, assert control over huge patches of rural zones in south and central Somalia. Recent military efforts have shaken their foundation, leaving many militants pondering defection to governmental camps. Nonetheless, the…

The Moldovan government is grappling with what it describes as "extensive meddling" by Russia during the critical presidential runoff election, according to Stanislav Secrieru, the national security advisor to the sitting president. "There’s a substantial effort underway that poses a serious risk of skewing the election results," Secrieru remarked in a post on the social media platform X. As citizens head to the polls against a backdrop of escalating tensions, the runoff represents a pivotal moment for Moldova’s…

Mogadishu (AX) — On Saturday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi engaged in a pivotal conversation with James Swan, the Acting Special Representative of the United Nations, in Mogadishu. Their discussion revolved around the newly inaugurated United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which has taken over from UNSOM. This meeting came just a day after UNTMIS’s official debut on November 1. The dialogue centered on Somalia’s evolving role within the UN Security Council, along with critical security…