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

Australia’s prime minister will back any move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne, according to a letter shared by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, underscoring the potential constitutional ripple effects across the Commonwealth after the former prince’s arrest. The letter, released by Starmer’s office, said the Australian government supports “any proposal” to alter the succession in light of the criminal investigation involving Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, who is…

Somalia says 17 al-Shabab commanders killed in six months as financial squeeze intensifies MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali security forces have killed 17 al-Shabab commanders over the past six months amid escalating military and financial pressure on the extremist group, the government said Sunday. Information Minister Daud Aweis said in a statement on X that the operations reflect sustained counterterrorism efforts focused on the group’s leadership network. He reaffirmed the government’s objective of dismantling al-Shabab’s…

Ukraine will need roughly €500 billion to rebuild from Russia’s war, a joint assessment by the World Bank, United Nations and European Union said, putting a price tag nearly three times the country’s annual economic output on nationwide recovery as the conflict enters its fifth year. The estimate — about $588 billion — is 12% higher than last year’s figure, reflecting a winter of relentless strikes on the power grid that left millions without heat or electricity. The damage tally runs through the end of December, the report…

Somali opposition bloc says talks with federal government collapse as election deadline nears MOGADISHU — The Somali Future Council, an alliance aligned with the opposition, said Monday its high-level negotiations with the federal government ended without agreement after several days of talks at the Presidential Palace, intensifying political uncertainty as the mandates of federal institutions expire in three months. The discussions focused on elections and constitutional reform. In a statement, the council said it entered…

Somali Future Council says government talks collapse as election deadlines loom Opposition bloc alleges unilateral constitutional changes, exclusion of MPs, and pressure tactics; seeks electoral pact by April 14 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council said Monday that its high-level negotiations with the federal government ended without agreement, raising the stakes as mandates for federal institutions expire in three months. The talks, held over several days at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu,…

Hong Kong’s appeals court has upheld the subversion convictions and prison terms of 12 pro-democracy figures linked to the city’s biggest national security case, affirming a landmark ruling that authorities say targeted an illegal plan to paralyze government through an unofficial primary election. The three-judge panel on Monday dismissed the appeals brought by a dozen defendants from the “Hong Kong 47” case, including veteran politician “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, former journalist Gwyneth Ho and Australian citizen Gordon…

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ICC opens Duterte ‘war on drugs’ case with claims he authorized murders, hand-picked victims THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court began week-long confirmation of charges hearings against former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, with prosecutors alleging he personally authorized murders and selected some targets in his anti-narcotics campaign. Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang told judges the proceedings were “a reminder that those in power are not above the law,” as the court weighs whether to move…

At least 50 killed, women and children abducted in overnight attack on Zamfara village, authorities say ABUJA, Nigeria — Gunmen killed at least 50 people and abducted an unknown number of residents, including women and children, during an overnight attack on a village in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara State, authorities and residents said Friday. The assault began late Thursday and continued into Friday morning in Tungan Dutse village in the Bukkuyum area, where armed men on motorcycles set homes ablaze and seized residents…

U.S. Embassy Urges Compromise as Somalia Faces Critical Electoral Stalemate MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States Embassy in Somalia on Monday urged the country’s political leaders to pursue “dialogue and compromise,” warning that only a unified approach can avert a deeper crisis as Somalia’s electoral impasse hardens ahead of a 2026 deadline. In a statement posted to X, the embassy framed political consensus as essential to safeguarding gains made in state-building and security. “Dialogue and compromise are difficult but…