Beledweyne, Jowhar, 11 March 2026 — The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (SRCC) and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Amb. El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, today conducted a joint field visit to Beledweyne and Jowhar with the Acting Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai.
The delegation comprised senior AUSSOM and UNSOS leaders including Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Police Commissioner, AIGP Hillary Sao Kanu, and Acting Head of Mission Support, Ms. Maxmillian Okech, to review the mandate implementation, engage frontline personnel and strengthen the cooperation between the two missions.
Addressing AUSSOM and UNSOS personnel at Sector Four in Beledweyne, the SRCC emphasised the mission’s commitment to implement the mandate with high standards of professionalism and expectations placed on the African Union mission and personnel in Somalia.
“We are here for the people of Somalia, and our collective success will depend on all of them. I reiterate my honour as the Head of AUSSOM and my privilege as the SRCC to work with the formidable and gallant people you are. I will not let you down,” Amb. Diene reassured.
During the joint visit, the delegation commended the Djiboutian and Ethiopian troops as well as Ghanaian Police personnel in Sector Four for their dedication to restoring Hiiraan’s peace and security.
“We are supposed to do four things in our mandate: degrade and defeat Al-Shabaab; do stabilisation; protect of civilians; and create a safe and conducive environment to facilitate humanitarian action. Following your briefing, I am reassured that you are doing good,” Amb. Diene added.
The joint visit reinforced the strong partnership between AUSSOM and UNSOS, underscoring their collaborative efforts to support Somalia’s peace and security initiatives.
Ms. Sadozai paid tribute to the sacrifices and selflessness of the troops in Somalia, reaffirming UNSOS’ unwavering support for AUSSOM to achieve its mandate.
“As UNSOS, we fully recognise what you are facing every day; the sacrifices you make, the work that you do, and also the support of the teams together to achieve this big support that we are doing together,” said Ms. Sadozai.
The AUSSOM Force Commander thanked UNSOS for its collaborative efforts, describing the UN logistical arm as the heart of the Peace Support Operations in Somalia.
He commended the Troop and Police Contributing Countries for their commitment to peace, security and stability in Somalia.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Ethiopian and Djiboutian forces for their strategic control of the Sector which effectively prevented Al-Shabaab from penetrating this area. I also commend the Ghana police for their exceptional work and the vital support they have accorded to this sector,” Lt. Gen. Kavuma said.
The visit to Jowhar
At Sector Five in Jowhar, the SRCC thanked the Burundian contingent for their ongoing stabilisation efforts to protect local communities in the region.
“You have done a lot for this country. You have represented well your country. We are very proud of you. We are very happy because of what you have been doing,” said Amb. Diene.
Ms. Sadozai commended AUSSOM Burundian troops for their professionalism despite operating in a harsh environment.
“Hats off and a big thanks to all of you for working together to ensure that we continue the operations. Your commitment, sacrifices, and resilience are well recognised,” said the Head of UNSOS, who further pledged the UN’s continued support to the AUSSOM’s mandate.
The AUSSOM Force Commander recognised the Burundian contingent for their long-standing history in the peacekeeping mission in Somalia, spanning 18 years.
“I want to thank the Burundian contingent, the Government and the people of Burundi for the great work they have done and their contribution here in Somalia,” said Lt. Gen. Kavuma.
Earlier in the week, Amb. Diene and the top AUSSOM leadership team visited Arbiska in Lower Shabelle and Baidoa in South West State, where they praised the personnel professionalism and selflessness in supporting a Somali-led peace, security and stability process.
