Nairobi, 8 September 2025 – The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ambassador El-Hadji Ibrahima Diene, on Monday visited African Union peacekeepers receiving specialised treatment at various hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ambassador Diene reaffirmed the Misson’s commitment to the health and well-being of its personnel injured in the line of duty.
Most of the peacekeepers were evacuated to Nairobi after suffering injuries in last month’s fierce battle where AUSSOM and the Somali National Army (SNA) forces recaptured Bariire town from Al-Shabaab control.
“As a mission, we always check on the treatment and care of personnel injured on the frontline to ensure they receive the best possible care,” said Ambassador Diene, who was accompanied by senior AUSSOM and medical officials.
“The patients admitted here got injured while doing an excellent job for the Mission and we need to ensure that they are well supported and taken care of.”
He commended the wounded soldiers for their contribution to Somalia’s peace and security, wished them a speedy recovery and extended a message of goodwill to them and their families.
“I thanked them for their courage and determination and the excellent results they have achieved on the battlefront. We are safer in Mogadishu today because of their brilliant work in Bariire and other successful operations,” Ambassador Diene said.
“The majority will be discharged soon and allowed to join their families home. We thank the medical teams from AUSSOM and the respective hospitals, liaison officers and medical colleagues from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) who attended to them daily.”
The SRCC also met medical officials from the respective hospitals and received a comprehensive update on the care and recovery of the patients.
“They have all responded well to treatment and shown steady recovery. We want to commit that we will always provide the best quality care for our patients and walk with them in their journey to recovery,” said Felix Osano, Chief Executive of Nairobi Hospital, who thanked the long-term partnership with the African Union.
The Aga Khan University Hospital Marketing Director, Pauline Ngatia, welcomed the SRCC’s visit and assured him of quality services from the medical personnel.
“We have a good working relationship with the African Union Mission and the UN, and we really appreciate your visit to our facility. We are committed to continue serving and providing quality medical services to your personnel,” said Ngatia.
