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

Recently, President Hakainde Hichilema left many taken aback with his candid comments regarding the pressing need for constitutional reform during a speech delivered in the Zambian parliament. He articulated concerns that, without necessary adjustments, certain oversights could potentially result in the country facing a dramatic scenario: "a situation where we could have no general election for eight years." This unexpected assertion sparked widespread criticism from various quarters, including former president Edgar…

On Thursday, Turkey’s foreign minister revealed plans to host separate discussions with Horn of Africa adversaries, Somalia and Ethiopia, to alleviate rising tensions prior to another round of talks in Ankara.Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa nosedived after Ethiopia inked a contentious maritime agreement in January with North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared Somali territory. This memorandum of understanding (MoU) offers Ethiopia — a major landlocked nation — maritime access, a deal Somalia decries…

Helicopter Crashes While Transporting Peacekeepers in Southern Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — On Thursday, a military chopper went down near the edges of Mogadishu, the heart of Somalia, while transporting peacekeepers from the African Union. Sources within the security apparatus revealed the crash involved personnel from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), among them three Ugandan personnel, all of whom made it out alive. Speaking on the hush-hush to Axadle due to the lack of clearance to jabber about it…

A recent parliamentary investigation has revealed a troubling lack of dam inspectors within the Department of Water and Sanitation. This alarming situation comes on the heels of the catastrophic failure of three dams in the Western Cape back in August. The aftermath of the collapse was devastating, as it displaced over a hundred individuals, wreaking havoc on their livelihoods and communities. To put things into perspective, dam owners are legally obligated to provide safety evaluations conducted by certified inspectors.…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a heart-wrenching incident, a Somali mother and her four-year-old daughter tragically lost their lives after drowning in the Loing River in northern France this past Monday, according to local sources. The heartbreaking event took place in Nemours, a town situated in the Seine-et-Marne region. The young girl had tumbled into the river by accident, and her mother met a tragic fate while trying to rescue her.The authorities were alerted by nearby residents who had been stirred by the mother's frantic cries…

The rift between Egypt and Ethiopia has hit a boiling point recently. The discord stems back to 2011, when Ethiopia began building the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, igniting Egypt's fears over its water and food security. Recently, tensions heightened further following Egypt's rapprochement with Ethiopia’s foe, Somalia. On August 27, Egypt dispatched two C-130 military aircraft brimming with weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu. This marked Egypt’s first military aid to Somalia in over four…

The 25th International AIDS Conference highlighted an essential approach for eradicating HIV as a public health dilemma by the year 2030: prioritizing community involvement. Globally, the fight against HIV has always relied on collective action, making significant strides along the way. However, Dr. Joram Sunguti—a Senior Technical Advisor specializing in HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) at Pathfinder International—stresses that intensifying community engagement is crucial for tackling enduring…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - On Thursday morning, a female legislator from Southwest State revealed that authorities at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu prevented her from traveling to Baidoa. Senior officials denied her claim. Federal MP Sareedo Mohamed Abdalla voiced her frustration on social media, sharing her experience of being blocked from boarding a flight to her home state. This episode occurred just days after other flights carrying passengers were similarly obstructed. It is an indication of growing political…

Mogadishu (AX) — A Somali military tribunal has handed Mahmoud Abdulle Geesood, notorious as "AJ," a death sentence for fatally shooting Hassan Abdullahi Ahmed, commonly known as "Qeylo." The tragedy unfolded on February 19 in Harardheere, a locale in the Mudug region. The fracas ignited at a food distribution point over aid cards designated for displaced folks. Onlookers divulged that the quarrel snowballed into a brawl, during which Geesood pulled out a gun and shot Ahmed, who perished instantly. The contentious aid…

Whether you're baking, roasting vegetables or roasting chicken, oil is a staple that you always need to have on hand. And if you're a recipe follower, you've probably noticed that canola or vegetable oil is often requested. They may look and smell almost identical, but are they really that similar? And in the canola vs. vegetable oil health debate, who wins? Both canola and vegetable oils are good choices for everything from baking cookies to frying fish, but there are some key differences in how they are used, their…