Constable Fatimata Kamara, a Sierra Leonean nurse serving with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), exemplifies resilience, courage and service. Deployed in Kismayo as part of a Formed Police Unit, she moves through the city on security patrols carrying two essential tools of her trade – a first-aid kit and a rifle – ready to save lives at any moment.
For Fatimata, the dual role of medic and police officer is not extraordinary; it is a calling shaped by her upbringing in Sierra Leone, a country that endured years of civil war. That experience alone instilled in her a deep understanding of conflict and determination to serve in uniform.
Drawn to law enforcement from an early age, she pursued her ambition with focus and purpose, and nine years later, she has no regrets. Her passion for caring for others continues to define her work, whether in a clinic or on patrol.
“When we go on patrol, we carry our first-aid box and our guns with fully loaded magazines. That’s the life of a combat nurse,” Kamara says. “We undergo special training so that if we come under attack, I switch to my police officer role and grab my rifle to protect the team.”
At the Level 1 hospital in Kismayo, Kamara delivers frontline medical care to peacekeepers and civilians alike. Her responsibilities range from receiving patients and recording medical histories to monitoring vital signs and collecting blood samples for laboratory analysis to support accurate diagnoses.
“My role is to receive patients, give them nursing care, take their medical history and vital signs. Sometimes, I also collect blood samples for laboratory tests to help doctors make accurate diagnoses,” she explains.
Yet her service extends beyond the hospital walls. As matron of her facility, she ensures medical readiness, and also insists on joining patrols to guarantee immediate care in an event of emergencies.
“I am the matron at my facility, but whenever there is a patrol into town, I make sure I join. Anything can happen on the way, so we assign two nurses, one male and one female, to accompany the convoy,” she says.
Balancing deployment with motherhood, Fatimata describes herself as a strong woman determined to provide for her son back home while serving on an international peace mission.
“I am a strong woman. I take care of my boy back home while actively serving as a police peacekeeper in Somalia,” she says.
Under AUSSOM’s mandate, Constable Fatimata and her colleagues support the Somali-led peace and security process, protect civilians and key infrastructure, and mentor the Somali Police Force through joint patrols and training initiatives. Her role reflects the mission’s broader commitment to stabilisation and capacity-building across Somalia.
As the world marks International Women’s Day on 8 March, Fatimata is using her voice to encourage more women to step forward and serve.
“I encourage all women to believe in themselves and focus on what they are doing. Never say this job is not for me because I am a woman. What men can do, women can do, and sometimes even better,” she says.
“There is no special equipment for women. We use the same gear, and that has taught me that we are just as capable.”
Reflecting on her dual profession, Kamara sees a shared mission at its core.
“As police officers, we save lives and property. In the medical field, we also save lives. That passion to protect and care for others keeps me going,” she says.
Her message to women in uniform, particularly Somali female officers, is clear and resolute.
“Continue doing your job. Continue saving lives, protecting property and helping the vulnerable. Don’t give up. We should not limit ourselves; we should keep pushing to better ourselves and our communities,” says Kamara.