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

More than 50 years after astronauts last flew to the Moon, NASA’s Artemis II mission is poised to send a crew on a lunar flyby, opening a new era in human spaceflight. The mission is due to lift off from Florida tonight. The launch window is set to open at 6.24pm (11.24pm Irish time). Here is what to know about the closely watched flight that is expected to begin a fresh chapter in space exploration. The goal The programme is designed to put Americans back on the Moon, build a lasting presence there and lay the groundwork…

By: OMAR M ELMIWednesday April 1, 2026 Perched at the mouth of the Red Sea and astride one of the globe’s busiest shipping lanes, the Horn of Africa is again at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical contest. The shifting ties between Djibouti, North Western State of Somalia — the secessionist region of Somalia since 1991 — and Ethiopia reveal how trade, security and regional rivalries are becoming increasingly intertwined. At the heart of the matter is a simple but powerful issue: who controls access to the sea and the…

A routine arrival at the Port of Dover turned into a serious firearms case when a 24-year-old man was brought before court accused of attempting to bring ten guns and ammunition into the UK. Khalid Ahmed, from Ealing in west London, is a dual Dutch and Irish national and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Counter-terrorism police stopped him at Dover last Thursday after he arrived from Calais in France. Prosecutors allege that a search of Mr Ahmed’s vehicle uncovered ten self-loading pistols and ammunition concealed…

By Ali Mohamed AliWednesday April 1, 2026 Illustrative photo  Somalia’s push to open its offshore waters to Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) could come at a steep environmental cost unless the country insists on a rigorous Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) carried out by an independent, technically qualified firm. Context: Planned Drilling by TPAO Somalia has already awarded TPAO exclusive rights to multiple offshore and onshore oil and gas blocks after the company completed extensive 2D and 3D seismic…

NASA is preparing to send four astronauts around the moon as soon as this evening, a 10-day mission that would rank as the boldest US human spaceflight effort in decades and a pivotal move in the race to return astronauts to the lunar surface before China mounts its first crewed landing. Mission managers on Monday gave a "go" for launch of Artemis II, clearing NASA's 98m (322-foot) Space Launch System rocket and its Orion crew capsule for liftoff as early as 6.24 p.m. (11.30pm Irish time) on Wednesday. The rocket is due to…

By Dulmar Maalim Wednesday April 1, 2026 President William Ruto’s announcement that the Somalia–Kenya border will reopen in April 2026 marks a notable turn in the Horn of Africa’s security and economic outlook. Beyond the symbolism, the move speaks to a broader regional recalibration — one that places trade, connectivity, and cooperation at the center of the East African Community’s integration drive. The significance of the decision fits squarely within the broader argument I have made about regional blocs and…

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has focused his government on rebuilding state capacity, tightening public management, and pushing major legal and economic reforms. The agenda—carried out through new appointments, governance reviews, and wider fiscal measures—aims to improve how the federal government runs ministries, collects revenue, and prepares for political milestones. This explainer outlines what Barre has pursued since taking office, what was announced publicly, and the main areas that observers track.…

In 2026, Somalia's political debate is increasingly focused on how President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is managing three linked challenges: a major constitutional transition, preparations for elections in the run-up to 2026, and the pressure of fighting al-Shabaab while maintaining governance in Mogadishu. Much of the year's attention has turned to talks between the presidency, opposition figures, and the National Consultative Council, as well as disputes in parliament over proposed constitutional amendments and the timing of…

Somalia has used an indirect election system, built around clan and delegate representation, for much of the past two decades. Under this approach, national leadership is chosen through layers of representation rather than direct ballots cast by the public. Somali lawmakers and political leaders are now debating a shift toward direct voting and "one person, one vote" universal suffrage. This explainer sets out the difference between Somalia's indirect system and direct voting, what the change would mean, and why the…

Wednesday April 1, 2026 Britain says it will bring dozens of countries together for urgent talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after the US-Israeli war on Iran effectively shut down one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday. At a news conference, Starmer said Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper would chair a virtual meeting on Thursday involving 35 countries. The aim, he said, is to examine steps that could be taken to restore the strait “after the fighting has…