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

Mogadishu— Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi dismissed immediate negotiations with Ethiopia over their maritime squabble, blaming Ethiopia's steadfastness over its controversial deal with North Western State of Somalia. The heart of the conflict lies in an agreement struck in January 2024, where North Western State of Somalia granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease over 20 kilometers of coastline. This pact would provide landlocked Ethiopia with coveted sea access for commercial and naval use. In return, Ethiopia was…

Alabama is gearing up to carry out the execution of Alan Miller, a convicted murderer, marking only the second instance of nitrogen asphyxiation as a method of capital punishment in the state. Alabama took the lead in this controversial approach back in January.The 65-year-old Miller was found guilty for his involvement in the tragic 1999 killings of three men, including two of his colleagues, during a violent outburst at two separate office locations in Pelham, Alabama. Earlier this year, Kenneth Smith also faced…

New York City's Mayor, Eric Adams, finds himself entangled in a web of legal troubles as he faces charges of bribery and the illicit solicitation of campaign contributions from a foreign national, according to a federal indictment revealed today. This development follows a prolonged investigation that has plunged the city’s administration into chaos. In total, Mr. Adams confronts five criminal allegations, which include the conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors allege that he sought and accepted lavish perks —…

Turkey's advancing influence in Africa is steadily gaining traction, notably through vibrant new ventures in Somalia. The focus has shifted to offshore oil exploration and bolstering military ties with a new missile test site.Ever since Turkey's African Initiative Policy debuted in 1998, Ankara has prioritized building strong commercial, diplomatic, and security relationships with the continent. "Turkey is pouring extraordinary vigor and ambition into achieving its economic objectives under this policy," remarks…

Aida Diarra, the bigwig behind Visa’s Sub-Saharan Africa division, couldn’t contain her excitement about the business tie-up. “Teaming up with UNDP Somalia lights us up as we aim to bring the digital age and financial services to every nook and cranny of the region. With our smarts in digital payments, we want to give Somali small business folks and underserved communities a real shot at economic strength and sustainable living," Diarra shared with palpable enthusiasm. Lionel Laurens, the go-to persona at UNDP Somalia, shed…

In a significant move, President Joe Biden has unveiled over $8 billion in military aid aimed at assisting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. This announcement coincided with a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking a pivotal moment in the U.S.'s commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. The package features the debut shipment of a precision-guided glide bomb, known as the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), which boasts an impressive range of up to 130 kilometers. This medium-range…

On Tuesday, Ethiopia's foreign minister cautioned that the influx of arms into Somalia might not only ignite further conflict but could also end up in the hands of terrorists, according to Ethiopia's state news agency.Just a day prior, the Egyptian warship had offloaded heavy arsenal in Mogadishu, marking the second shipment in a month. This followed August's security pact between Egypt and Somalia. Landlocked Ethiopia, which has stationed thousands of troops in neighboring Somalia to combat al Qaeda-linked Islamist…

The Japanese court has made a groundbreaking decision, acquitting the world’s longest-serving death row inmate after more than fifty years of conviction. Iwao Hakamada, who was sentenced for murder back in 1968, has now been declared not guilty. In a significant ruling, the Shizuoka District Court affirmed Hakamada’s innocence, acknowledging a retrial that his advocates and he initiated a decade ago. “The court finds the defendant innocent,” proclaimed Judge Koshi Kunii with profound gravity. Unfortunately, due to health…

On September 23, 2024, Nasra Bashir Ali, working with the Office of the Somali Prime Minister, posted a photo on X. The image allegedly shows a ship being offloaded at an unnamed port. Meanwhile, Egypt has verified sending arms to Somalia amid regional friction spurred by Ethiopia's contentious arrangement with the self-declared republic of North Western State of Somalia. North Western State of Somalia officials state Ethiopia agreed to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia in exchange for leasing 20 kilometers of sea…

Kenya's telecom titan, Safaricom (SCOM.NR), shared on Tuesday that it secured 15 billion shillings (around $116.73 million) from the second round of a sustainability-oriented loan procured from a coalition of local banks. This telecom heavyweight, partially owned by South Africa's Vodacom (VODJ.J) and Britain's Vodafone (VOD.L), initiated this green loan project last year, netting a comparable sum in its initial phase. The fresh funding will be funneled into various eco-friendly initiatives, notably transforming its…