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

Thursday February 26, 2026 Photo via Arsenal.com Mogadishu (AX) — Arsenal have confirmed Somali-British midfielder Maalik Hashi has signed his first professional contract with the club, marking a significant milestone for the 17-year-old and a landmark moment for representation within the Premier League side’s academy pathway. Hashi, who progressed through Arsenal’s academy ranks, becomes the first player of Somali descent to come through the club’s youth system and sign professional terms with the north London team. The…

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's two sons have rejected as "a blatant lie" allegations by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula that they are involved in Namibia's oil industry, issuing a forceful denial on Friday and accusing the opposition of politically motivated smears. Itula earlier linked Ndeli and Nande Ndaitwah — identified by the IPC as members of the country's first family — to the petroleum sector through their private business interests. The opposition leader said the family was…

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s two sons have rejected as “blatant lies” an accusation by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula that they are involved in the oil industry, saying the claims are politically motivated and threaten their safety and rights. Itula, whose party has positioned itself as a vocal critic of the ruling establishment, publicly linked Ndeli and Nande Ndaitwah to the petroleum sector through their private business interests. He said Ndeli’s company, Vaneli Foods, which was once…

Israel accredits first North Western State of Somalia ambassador, cementing new diplomatic ties TEL AVIV — Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday formally accredited North Western State of Somalia’s first ambassador to Israel, deepening a swiftly developing relationship less than two months after Israel recognized the self-declared republic’s independence. The ministry said Dr. Mohamed Omar Haaji Mohamud, widely known as Mohamed Hagi, has been received as a plenipotentiary ambassador in Tel Aviv. His appointment follows the…

CAIRO — Egypt on Tuesday denied reports that it was prepared to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in return for flexibility from Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), calling the claims “entirely baseless,” according to the state-run Middle East News Agency. An official source, quoted by MENA, “categorically rejected” the circulating reports, stressing that “such reports are entirely baseless and unfounded.” The source added that “Egypt’s stance on water security and the GERD remains firm and…

Hillary Clinton is set to testify behind closed doors before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Her appearance will be followed the next day by a deposition of former President Bill Clinton, according to people familiar with the schedule. The Clintons initially rejected subpoenas ordering them to testify, but agreed after House Republicans threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress. The…

Hormuud Salaam Foundation ramps up Ramadan food aid for families, hospital and people with disabilities MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Hormuud Salaam Foundation has launched an expanded round of Ramadan relief across Mogadishu, delivering food assistance to low-income families, mental health patients and people with disabilities as part of its 14th annual Iftar and Support Project. The foundation says this year’s campaign aims to reach more than 67,000 vulnerable people nationwide. The latest distributions spanned multiple sites…

France’s minority government survived twin no-confidence votes after pushing a new energy law through by decree, but the more consequential shift may be outside the chamber: a new poll indicates voters are now more inclined to block the hard left than the far right in runoffs, signaling a potential realignment of the country’s political guardrails. The motions were filed by the far-right National Rally (RN) and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), underscoring how both fringes sought to capitalize on the government’s reliance…

Geneva — The United States and Iran are set to open a new round of indirect talks in Switzerland aimed at averting a fresh spiral of conflict and ending weeks of threats, according to officials on both sides. The Geneva negotiations follow a U.S. military buildup across the region and repeated warnings from President Donald Trump that he is prepared to strike Iran if diplomacy fails. The agenda remains contested. Washington wants the talks to cover Iran’s nuclear activities, its ballistic missile program and its support for…

Record 129 journalists killed in 2025, CPJ says, with two-thirds linked to Israel A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists said, marking a second straight annual high and the deadliest year since the watchdog began tracking deaths more than three decades ago. “Journalists are being killed in record numbers at a time when access to information is more important than ever,” CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg said in a statement. “We are all at risk when journalists are…