David Joseph

David is an East Africa-based freelance reporter with Horn Observer focusing conflict, terrorism, human rights and climate crisis.

U.S Senator Ted Cruz Presses Trump to Recognize Somaliland

WASHINGTON, D.C. (HORN OBSERVER) — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R–Texas), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, has formally urged President Donald Trump to recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state in a letter issued on Thursday (August…

Somalia PM's Call Sparks Concerns Over Threat to UK MP Gavin Williamson

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) – Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre is under growing scrutiny after remarks made last week in Mogadishu appeared to incite Somalis in the UK to take action against British MP Sir Gavin Williamson.

Zambia's Former President Edgar Lungu Dies at 68

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) – Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu has passed away at the age of 68, his party, the Patriotic Front (PF), announced in a statement.

U.S., UAE, Switzerland, and Others Condemn Deadly Attack on UN Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) — The ALPS group — a coalition comprising the governments of the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, along with the African Union and the United Nations — has strongly condemned a deadly attack on a United Nations humanitarian…

'Do Not Travel': U.S. Upgrades Somalia Travel Advisory to Level 4

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) – The United States has elevated its travel advisory for Somalia to Level 4 – Do Not Travel, the highest warning level issued by the U.S. State Department.

DR Congo and M23 Rebels Commit to Qatar-Led Peace Talks

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) – The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda, issued separate statements on Wednesday pledging to engage in peace talks facilitated by Qatar.

INTERPOL-Trained Somali Police Officers Among 145 Missing in Mass Defection, Some Suspected of Joining Terrorists

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) – In an alarming wave of defections, 145 Somali police officers have reportedly abandoned their posts and are nowhere to be found.

India Bans Highly Addictive Opioids Following Media Investigation

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) – Indian authorities have banned the production and export of two addictive opioids after a BBC investigation exposed their role in fueling a public health crisis in West Africa.

South Africa's Concerns Over Drug Smuggling and Terror Networks Affect Former Somali PM's Visa Application

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - On Thursday, Somali social media users reported that the South African High Commission in Nairobi blocked the visa application of former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who was attempting to travel to South Africa for unspecified reasons.

With Trump's Somaliland Recognition on the Table, Turkey Ramps Up Hargeisa Engagement

HARGEISA, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) – Turkey's Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, has embarked on a two-day visit to Somaliland, where he met with officials in Hargeisa to discuss development support, strengthen bilateral ties, and potentially mediate in the stalled Somalia-Somaliland talks.