Journalism

Youssef has worked as a journalist for 30 years. During his journalistic career, Youssef interviewed ten Arab and African presidents and heads of state, a UN Secretary General and scores of Arab and African officials and opposition leaders. Some of these people are pictured with Youssef on the Key Figures page of the Gallery. He reported from 15 different countries. Some of his key achievements are:

• 2001: 6 field reports from Nuba Mountains (Sudan) were sold by Al-Hayat to Al-Qabas, Kuwait and published simultaneously in both dailies.
• 2001: The only Arab journalist to report from Sudanese oil fields controlled by SPLA rebels in Southern Sudan.
• 1998 The only Arab and international journalist reporting from the disputed Hanish Islands, Red Sea, before international arbitration ruling
• 1997 Trained 16 Palestinian journalists in cooperation with “FOJO”, the Swedish Institute for Further Education of Journalists, and Beir Zeit University (26 January–1 February)
• 1996: The only Arab and international journalist who managed to board the plane carrying President Mobutu's family when he was ousted from power in Zaire (now the DRC).
• 1996: Participated in a UNDP fact finding trip to Yemen and Djibouti and reported for the UNDP magazine "Choices" (8 -17 October).
• 1993: The only Arab journalist accompanying the arrival of US troops in Somalia.
• 1991: The only Arab journalist reporting from Somaliland when it became a self-declared republic.

Youssef has been interviewed and quoted in numerous media organisations including: Al Jazeera, Abu Dhabi TV, BBC Arabic TV and Radio, Kuwait Radio and TV, Radio el Chark, El-Nahar, Radio Monte Carlo, BBC monitoring, BBC World Service Radio, AFP, Reuters and Somali Watch.

Pictures taken by Youssef during his career can be found in the multi-page Gallery.

Links to a few of Youssef's articles:

Interview with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

An Al-Jazeera article: الصومال وبوادر عهد جديد