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

She’d been busting her hump with laundry, cleaning, and cooking, earning a humble $6-10 daily, just enough to keep her family afloat. After five long years, her gig was pulled from under her feet by her employers, citing financial strain. “We now lean on our neighbors’ generosity for food. When nothing turns up, we go to bed hungry,” Najmo explained. “We’ve got zilch. All we can do is pray to the Almighty for relief,” she sighed. She's drowning under $400 in back rent and facing eviction. Previous oustings from other homes…

Pravin Gordhan, the former minister and notable anti-apartheid campaigner, has passed away. His legacy is celebrated for his unwavering integrity, exceptional leadership, and courage in combating state capture. Gordhan held the position of Minister of Finance for two significant periods: first from 2009 to 2014, and then again from 2015 to 2017. He also took on the role of Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015, followed by his service as Minister of Public Enterprises from February…

Ethiopia has officially replied to the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s correspondence, characterizing the contents as a "series of unfounded claims." Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia addressed the Council on September 6, 2024, regarding Egypt's correspondence, which firmly rejected Ethiopia's fifth and latest effort to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia's rebuttal stems from Egypt's allegations of breaching international regulations by proceeding with the dam's filling without the…

Last weekend, a meeting took place in Asmara between Egypt's chief spy and Foreign Minister, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. They carried a direct message from President Al Sisi, emphasizing "enhancing and expanding bilateral ties across all sectors." Egypt's active diplomatic endeavors in the Horn of Africa are ongoing. Following a recently inked military pact with Somalia, which included sending 10 Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, irking neighboring Ethiopia, Cairo is now eyeing a similar deal with Eritrea. This…

A tragic incident unfolded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in the loss of at least 129 lives during a botched prison break. According to Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani, a grim tally indicates that 24 individuals were shot after warnings were issued. Yet, the death toll wasn't solely due to gunfire; many perished from being crushed or suffocated in the chaos. In the aftermath, at least 59 individuals sustained injuries and required medical attention, and reports surfaced of several women…

In commemoration of International Day of Democracy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an insightful message highlighting the critical need to safeguard free expression. He also raised an alarm about the lurking dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guterres cautioned that if left unchecked, AI could wreak havoc on democratic frameworks, primarily by disseminating misleading information and inciting animosity among different groups. He pointed out that this year, the stakes are particularly high, as…

Resilient Aston Villa triumphantly returned to the pinnacle of European football after 41 years, besting Swiss champs Young Boys. Unai Emery’s crew initially found their footing on the unfamiliar artificial turf in Bern. Youri Tielemans shattered the deadlock with a slick corner routine, netting a laser into the far corner. Villa's second came from a comedy of errors in the home defense. Ollie Watkins pounced on Mohamed Ali Camara’s errant pass intended for keeper David von Ballmoos, allowing Jacob Ramsey to slot one…

Farai Maguwu, the Director at the Center for Natural Resource Governance, has voiced strong apprehensions over such a proposal to cull elephants. He fears it would meet with intense backlash, reminiscent of the uproar following Namibia's similar decision. In Zimbabwe, approximately 100,000 elephants roam the land; however, the ecosystem can realistically support around 45,000. Complicating matters further, Zimbabwe faces restrictions on the sale of these majestic creatures due to the regulations set forth by the Convention…

One year has passed since a cataclysmic earthquake ravaged the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and the people on the ground express a sense of frustration over the sluggish pace of rebuilding efforts. Many remain in temporary tents, while others have been compelled to relocate entirely. Lisa Bryant reports for VOA on the ongoing struggle for recovery. This seismic event, registering a staggering 6.8 on the Richter scale, was the most powerful earthquake to strike Morocco in over a century. It hit on September 8, 2023,…

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has officially begun his second term in office after an impressive electoral victory, clinching a remarkable 84% of the votes. Despite this resounding win, the election was shadowed by a notable sense of voter disinterest and persistent worries regarding the fairness of the vote counting process. In his inaugural address, Tebboune thanked the Algerian populace for their trust and support. He emphasized his commitment to engaging in comprehensive consultations with a variety of political…