Baidoa – Becoming a soldier and serving his country had always been Captain Mengistu Mathius’s dream. But along the way, he took up mechanics, a skill that has become just as central to who he is today.
The Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) officer leads the maintenance unit for Sector 3 troops under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in Baidoa.
“I joined the military 26 years ago. I always dreamed of becoming a soldier and serving my country,” he said.
But his journey didn’t begin in uniform. Before joining the military, Capt. Mengistu worked for three years as a civilian mechanic, skills that would later prove invaluable in his service.
More than two decades on, that early experience continues to shape his work. Even now, despite his leadership role, he is never far from the tools of his trade.
While frontline operations often draw the most attention, Capt. Mengistu’s work is behind the scenes. Every day, he and his team ensure that vehicles run, weapons function, and troops can move when it matters most.
“My role is to maintain and repair vehicles and equipment so that the troops can carry out their duties without interruption,” he explained.
A typical day for Capt. Mengistu begins early in the workshop – he checks in on his team, making sure everything is running smoothly. But he doesn’t just supervise; he rolls up his sleeves and works alongside them.
In a mission like AUSSOM, no unit works alone. Capt. Mengistu’s team coordinates closely with United Nations maintenance personnel and regional partners, sharing skills and support whenever needed.
“We have a good working relationship with the United Nations maintenance team as well as those from the regional administration. We help each other whenever necessary,” he added.
The demands of the mission are constant, and the conditions can be unforgiving. During the El Niño, the challenges intensified. Roads became difficult to navigate, and vehicles struggled to move through mud and floodwater.
“Our biggest challenge came during the rains when most of the vehicles struggle to move about. We had to put a lot of effort into our tasks every day in terms of maintenance and repairs. We learnt a lot of lessons and adapted to the harsh weather conditions,” he said.
It was a test of endurance but also a lesson in adaptation. His team adjusted, learned and kept going. Through it all, what keeps him motivated is a strong sense of responsibility.
“My duty to serve my country and do my work well, that is my biggest motivation,” Capt. Mengistu added.
For him, the impact of his work goes beyond the workshop. By keeping equipment operational, he plays a direct role in supporting peace and security, something he believes is essential for the people of Somalia.
“We have impacted hugely on the community here especially in maintaining peace and security; this is our biggest impact because it’s important for the local community to have peace and stability,” he noted.
Capt. Mengistu’s work is not one that often makes headlines. But without it, much of what happens on the frontlines would be impossible.