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

Mogadishu (AX) — In the heart of Adado, Hawo Mahamud Farah, better known as Hawo Jookar, shattered barriers by steering a Bajaj (auto-rickshaw) through the town's lively streets. Not only did she face the grim realities of societal backlash and road hazards, but she did so to ensure a stable life for her five children, daring to defy entrenched gender expectations.Hawo’s adventure in the Bajaj driver’s seat began under challenging circumstances. "I got hitched young," she explained. "Later, I was left alone to fend for…

"Not good enough." That was Arne Slot’s blunt assessment following his inaugural loss as Liverpool manager last Saturday. The unexpected 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League shattered Slot’s unblemished record since taking over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield after the previous season. "We dominated possession but carved out only three or four decent chances. Frankly, that's insufficient," lamented the Dutchman, expressing disbelief at his team’s loss to Forest. "Losing a home game…

Galkayo, Somalia – Over the last couple of days, Presidents Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State and Ahmed Abdi Karie (Qoorqoor) from Galmudug came together in Galkayo. They delved into critical strategies aimed at fostering harmony among their often-feuding clans. This significant conference follows several months marred by inter-clan skirmishes in their regions. The heavy lifting in fostering peace, maintaining order, and bettering livelihoods falls squarely on Somalia's Federal Member States (FMS). While the…

Reports swirling on social media, with sources converging from within Mogadishu, hint that the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud administration is adopting a more assertive position against Ethiopia. They're even making territorial claims on the Ogaden region, suggesting it as part of Somalia.Despite the brewing tension, the U.S. remains hopeful for a diplomatic resolution. The VOA Amharic report highlighted that the United States, along with unspecified partners, is striving towards this goal. “In the present circumstances,…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States is calling on Somalia and Ethiopia to settle their disputes through diplomacy. It's closely watching the escalating tensions between these two nations, which teeter on the edge of conflict over boundary issues.In a bold move, Richard Riley, the U.S. ambassador to Somalia, urged both countries to consider peaceful Alternative Dispute Resolution instead of gearing up for war. "The consequences of conflict would be devastating," Riley emphasized, underpinning the urgent need for…

GAROWE, Somalia (via KAAB TV) – Ethiopia found itself in the crosshairs after an unexpected move by Somalia's government. The announcement came from none other than Foreign Minister Ahmed Fiqi, a onetime Islamic Courts Union member—an alliance giving rise to Al-Shabaab. He hinted that Somalia might consider backing Ethiopian rebels if Addis Ababa persists with its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. On Thursday, Fiqi stated, "Ethiopia’s continuation with the MoU opens the door for Somalia to establish…

GAROWE, Somalia (AXADLE) – There's a new twist in Somalia’s ongoing unrest. According to a fresh report from the International Crisis Group, the Islamic State in Somalia (IS-Somalia) has been beefing up its coffers and building clan support, even though its operational muscle remains pretty lean. Being smaller fish in the jihadist pond compared to Al-Shabaab, IS-Somalia has still managed to make waves both locally and on the global stage. Nesting in the craggy nooks of Puntland’s Bari province, IS-Somalia doesn’t look like…

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AXADLE) – Tragedy struck the Kahda district on Saturday when two bomb blasts claimed five lives and left eight wounded, according to local officials. Abdullahi Abdirahman, the Commissioner of Kahda District, revealed that the initial explosion occurred in a lively greenfield area where youth regularly congregate for selfies and social media videos. The second blast erupted soon after rescue teams had arrived, compounding the devastation. "The bomb exploded on the roadside while young folks were…

A Ukrainian captivated soldier rejoices over the swap. (AFP: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)The United Arab Emirates has brokered a trade involving 206 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, as reported by Emirati state news agency WAM on Saturday.President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russia's defense ministry both acknowledged that each nation retrieved 103 POWs in this exchange.“Our people are home,” Mr. Zelenskyy conveyed on the Telegram messaging platform. “We successfully liberated another 103…

Somalia: Devastating Explosions Rock Youth Photography Hub in Mogadishu, Leaving Five Dead MOGADISHU, Somalia - Over the weekend, a series of catastrophic roadside blasts in Mogadishu's Kahda district resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to eight more, according to local officials. The explosions struck a beloved hangout where youths gather to take photos, sparking fresh fears concerning the safety in Somalia's capital. Abdullahi Sheikh Abdirahman, Kahda's district commissioner, confirmed the…