Mogadishu, Somalia, 5 March 2026 – When people picture a Peace Support Operation (PSO), they often imagine soldiers on patrol or police officers securing volatile areas. A few of them think about the complex logistical engine making those deployments possible, and even fewer still imagine women leading that effort.
But at the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), women are not only participating but steering critical operations sustaining the mission every day.
For Maxmillian Okech, Senior Joint Support Operations Centre (JSOC) Officer and Acting Head of Mission Support (HMS), Administration and Logistics are the backbone of any PSO.
“The Mission Structure has two main elements: the Substantive sections and Mission Support,” she explains. Mission Support is the technical arm that enables the implementation of the Mandate. It covers Administration and Logistics Management including procurement, life support, transport, accommodation, aviation, communications, human resources and engineering.
The engine behind the uniform
“Life support is the engine behind every operation,” Maxmillian says. “Without food, water, fuel and medical care, no operation can be undertaken. Our job is to make sure every AUSSOM personnel has the necessary logistical support to safely and successfully deliver their mandate.”
Since joining the Mission in 2018, Maxmillian has watched Somalia’s security landscape steadily improve. At one point, the AU Mission maintained thousands of troops across more than 70 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in various locations. Today, many of those responsibilities have transitioned to the Somali Security Forces (SSF).
For her, that progress is deeply personal.
“It feels like supporting and witnessing progressive growth,” she says with a smile. “That is the joy of this Mission, seeing Somalia gradually and sustainably take full responsibility and ownership of its security.”
Breaking the peacekeeping stereotype
“People think AU intervention in Somalia is only about fighting,” she says. “They don’t realise how many civilians, especially women, are working behind the scenes. Women lead departments, manage logistics, supply chain, coordinate operations, and bring qualities that are essential to peacebuilding.”
“Women are natural problem-solvers, seamlessly balancing various roles in their personal and professional lives. This not only highlights their organisational skills but also their resilience and adaptability, showcasing their ability to deliver effectively across multiple domains. These are essential strengths that translate directly into mission work,” Maxmillian says.
A message to young women
In commemoration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Maxmillian has a clear message for girls considering careers in peacekeeping and taking up leadership roles.
“Do not be afraid,” she says firmly. “Some titles look intimidating. Some environments seem tough. But be confident. Be courageous. Give your best. There is nothing you cannot achieve.”
She hopes more women will step forward to serve, lead and shape the future of peace operations.
“Peacekeeping needs women. Communities need women. Leadership needs women,” Maxmillian says.
Behind every patrol, every convoy and every milestone in Somalia’s stabilisation, women like Oketch are ensuring the mission runs smoothly, quietly powering peace from the ground up, redefining what leadership in peacekeeping looks like.