Axadle - Leading News from Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Barcelona stumbles in their Champions League opener against Monaco. "Monaco took everyone by surprise," remarked Catalan supporter Pablo Res. Against all predictions, Monaco clinched a memorable victory over Barcelona. Seen as underdogs, the Monegasque squad defied expectations and took command of the stage. Ding-ding! From whistle to whistle, Monaco's craftiness proved overwhelming. Barça couldn’t find their groove, and the final score reflected their struggles. A surprise to many, thousands of Catalan fans left Camp…

On Wednesday, Somalia proclaimed the capture of a top boss from the terrorist faction al-Shabaab in the central Galgadud region.Ali Geelle, a high-ranking leader linked to al-Qaeda's offshoot al-Shabaab, was nabbed by the Somali National Army (SNA) in a military operation in Galgadud, according to a terse Defense Ministry communique.“The operation in Galhareeri district, Galgaduud region, also saw the confiscation of a vehicle, a gun, and some ammo,” the ministry posted on X. They noted that Geelle had been involved in…

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is getting roasted in Oxfam's latest report for failing to shield African nations from rampant violence and chaos.Consequently, the continent is grappling with skyrocketing humanitarian needs that the current funding isn’t even close to meeting. If something doesn’t change soon, the “Permanent Five” might as well be both "judge and jury."Titled "Vetoing Humanity," the report delves into 23 of the world's most stubborn conflicts over the past decade, 14 of which are rooted in Africa.…

Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali Foreign Minister Yusuf Garaad admonished the Somali government to step in regarding recent remarks made by Director of Transport and Aviation Bashir Moalim Ali. Ali sparked an uproar by casting aspersions on the people of South West State during a media engagement. Ali questioned the genuineness of the recent demonstrators in Bakool, alleging they weren't true Somalis but descendants of Ethiopians from the time of former President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. "Hearing Somali citizens labeled as…

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.

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…