State Department recalls career diplomat to head Somali Mission

Retired diplomat David H. Kaeuper will head the US Mission to Somalia which is currently based in Nairobi as part of the U.S move to finally establish a full ambassadorial representation in the Horn of Africa nation.
Kaeuper will serve as Chargé d’Affaires for the Mission which which is barely a month old. A career diplomat, Kaeuper boasts vast experience on African issues having served as ambassador in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He has also served as Director of the Office of African Analysis in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and before that as Deputy Chief of Mission in Gabon, Deputy Director of East African Affairs, and Political Counselor in Nigeria.
Kaeuper’s appointment comes amid efforts by the Obama administration to appoint an ambassador after Katherine Dhanani who was nominated for the post early this year declined to take up the job.