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

Northeastern administration accuses North Western State of Somalia forces of attack in Sanaag’s Waqdariya; casualties reported Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 MOGADISHU — The Northeastern regional administration on Thursday accused North Western State of Somalia forces of attacking civilians in the Waqdariya area of Sanaag region, saying the assault caused casualties but offering no official toll. In a statement issued by its Ministry of Security, the administration said the incident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. in Waqdariya,…

A new scramble for Africa is underway — not with warships or colonial flags, but with battery supply chains, green-transition targets and high-level trade delegations. Governments and corporations are hunting lithium, cobalt, graphite, manganese, platinum-group metals and rare earth elements that power electric vehicles, wind turbines and digital infrastructure. The race promises opportunity for African states; it also risks renewing old patterns of extraction without local benefit or environmental safeguards. The global…

The Rising Violence in Northwestern Nigeria This section examines the increasing violence in Zamfara State and its broader impact. It provides an overview of the recent attacks and highlights the ongoing security challenges. At least 38 people killed in an attack on a village in Zamfara State. Banditry and extremism are key sources of insecurity in the region. Armed gangs operate from forested regions, complicating containment efforts. Details of the Attack Here, we focus on the specifics of the recent attack…

North Western State of Somalia's Bid for International Recognition In a bold move to gain international legitimacy, separatist North Western State of Somalia is reaching out to powerful nations by offering access to its valuable resources and strategic military locations. North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991, seeking recognition as a separate entity. Israel recognized North Western State of Somalia's independence in December, a milestone in its quest for international acceptance.…

‘Giselle’ underground: Kharkiv’s ballet keeps dancing as war grinds on KHARKIV, Ukraine — In a city battered by missiles and winter blackouts, the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has found its stage a few floors below ground. The company’s last performance in its grand auditorium above street level took place on Feb. 23, 2022. Hours later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and tried to seize Kharkiv. What followed remade the life of one of Ukraine’s leading ballet companies: shattered…

Protests Erupt in Kaduna Over El-Rufai's Continued Detention Protests erupted in various parts of Kaduna State in response to the ongoing detention of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The demonstrations, primarily led by youth groups, were fueled by concerns that El-Rufai's prolonged detention—despite pending court proceedings—undermines both due process and legal fairness. Participants voiced their frustrations and called for El-Rufai's immediate release, arguing that his treatment reflects a troubling trend of…

Sudan's Stance on Ending the Civil War The Sudanese government emphasized the importance of proposals respecting national integrity in resolving the ongoing civil conflict. Sudan's supreme interests, national unity, and territorial integrity are paramount. The Foreign Ministry asserts the need for proposals to align with national sovereignty. Details of recent proposals have not been clearly outlined by the government. Government's Position The Sudanese Foreign Ministry reiterated that any peace proposals…

Congo's Escalating Conflict with M23 Rebels The Democratic Republic of Congo intensified military operations in the east following reports of the death of M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma. This escalation comes amidst ongoing tensions over territorial control in mineral-rich regions. Drone attacks targeted M23 positions near Rubaya, a key mining town. Rubaya's coltan deposits significantly impact global electronics supply chains. The conflict involves multiple armed factions competing for resources. Clashes in…

Ian Huntley, the convicted killer at the center of the Soham murders, is understood to have suffered serious injuries after an assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham on Thursday morning, according to police and prison authorities. Durham Constabulary said officers were called to the high-security prison after an incident inside the facility. “Police were alerted to an assault which had taken place within HMP Frankland in Durham this morning,” a spokesperson said. “A male prisoner suffered serious injuries during the…

Deni, Turkish envoy discuss security cooperation and political transition in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State state President Said Abdullahi Deni met Thursday with Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, for talks centered on security cooperation, political stability and humanitarian pressures as the country navigates a tense electoral transition and persistent militant threats. The high-level meeting, attended by a delegation of senior Turkish Embassy officials, reviewed the general situation across Somalia…