Voices

Mogadishu (AX) — As the sun lazily dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Mogadishu, a gathering unlike any other took place. Survivors, heartened activists, and earnest government officials came together to honor the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Their voices joined in an impassioned plea urging the swift establishment of a national ban in Somalia. Orchestrated by the Ifrah Foundation, this pivotal event was held in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family,…

In a tragic event that can only evoke disbelief, audio recordings from air traffic control have emerged, detailing the haunting moments before and after the catastrophic collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, DC. The consequences of this mid-air disaster resonate deeply, not only for the families affected but for aviation safety as a whole. LiveATC.net, a reputable platform renowned for capturing in-flight communications, has provided a chilling…

AXADLE, Somalia - In a landscape of arid plains and hopeful hearts, Northeastern State's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ubah Abdirashid Mohamed Hersi, has raised a storm of protest against what she perceives as a diplomatic slap in the face by Somalia’s Federal Government. This bout is about the deliberate omission of regional powers in the crucial act of distributing food aid, and it feels personal. As the merciless sun rose over Bosaso on a typical Saturday, Minister Ubah took to the stage with…

Sure, let's breathe some life into this story. --- Mogadishu (AX) – In a fiery broadside against the Somali federal government's current policies, the former President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, didn't mince words. Emerging from political hibernation, Ahmed, who holds the reins of the Himilo Qaran Party, orchestrated a press conference in Mogadishu on Tuesday that left no stone unturned in its critique. He cut straight to the chase, lambasting the government for its handling of politics, security, constitutional tweaks,…

Mary Robinson, the esteemed Chair of the Elders, recently voiced her frustrations regarding the ongoing COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. During her address, she pointed her finger at several nations, notably the Vatican, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, accusing them of hindering progress on a vital gender-focused climate action strategy. Robinson didn’t hold back her disappointment about Azerbaijan's selection as the host for this significant global conference. She claimed that an overwhelming presence of fossil fuel…

The landscape of childhood is undergoing profound transformations, with UNICEF's latest flagship report, ‘The State of the World’s Children 2024: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World,’ shedding light on these crucial shifts just in time for World Children’s Day. This insightful report delves into the repercussions of three impending global trends that are redefining the lives of young people worldwide. It highlights alarming statistics, revealing that children now face a staggering eightfold increase in exposure to…

The political climate in Ethiopia's Amhara state has raised eyebrows in the United States, sparking significant concerns about the escalating conflict in the region—concerns expressed by none other than America's chief diplomat late on Monday. The Fano, a militia group part of the Amhara ethnic group, which holds the title of Ethiopia's second-largest ethnicity, is a curious player in this drama. Around April 2023, driven by the government's attempt to disarm regional forces, the Fano picked up their arms, embracing a role…

DJIBOUTI (AX) – Whisperings from insiders connected to Villa Somalia and the Djiboutian administration reveal to Axadle about a formal grievance filed with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This follows his recent encounter with Djibouti’s head honcho, President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. The core issue? Djibouti’s unease over budding ties between President Hassan Sheikh and Eritrea’s leader, Isaias Afwerki. Word on the street is that President Guelleh has directly voiced his apprehension regarding Afwerki’s snowballing…

Mogadishu (AX) – The Acting Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, James Swan, has voiced his worries about the simmering unrest between Somalia and Ethiopia. This follows a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia, a region claiming autonomy, on the first day of 2024.This agreement, granting Ethiopia access to the sea and permitting a military base in North Western State of Somalia, faced strong objections from Somalia. On Friday,…

In the ongoing conflict, Israeli troops clashed with Hamas-affiliated militants in both northern and southern Gaza. Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes across the region resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians overnight. According to medical personnel, these fatalities stemmed from distinct Israeli aerial bombardments targeting Deir Al-Balah, situated in central Gaza, as well as Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern part of the enclave. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, both armed factions,…