Kismayo – At AUSSOM Sector 2 in Kismayo, where Peace Support Operations (PSOs) duties demand discipline, resilience and sacrifice, one officer is strengthening the mission through an often-overlooked force – faith.
Police Constable Alhaji Sheikh Unisa Sesay is Chief Imam of the Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit (SLFPU). He has been serving as a police officer and a spiritual guide since joining the Sierra Leone Police Force in January 2017. Today, under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), he plays a vital role in nurturing the spiritual well-being of his fellow officers.
“My role in the mission is to serve as a Chief Imam,” Sheikh Sesay explained. “I am here to guide, advise and support my colleagues in fulfilling their religious duties while serving the mission.”
For Sheikh Sesay, joining the police force was not only about maintaining law and order. It was about reforming hearts and strengthening faith.
“My inspiration for joining the police was to help those who were not fully performing their religious duties,” he said. “I wanted to serve as a da’i (inviting people to Islam) and guide them to worship Allah in a way that is pleasing to Him.”
Through his work, Sheikh Sesay emphasised that spirituality is not separate from service, it is essential to it.
“To perform religious duties is very important,” he noted. “As a police officer, you are entrusted to protect lives and property. When you worship Allah sincerely, it strengthens your sense of responsibility and commitment to serve with integrity.”
Within the mission, Sheikh Sesay has established a structured programme to support officers spiritually. His daily routine reflects a deep commitment to both faith and discipline.
“In the morning, I teach Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH). In the afternoon, we practice Qur’an recitation, and in the evening, I teach Tafsir,” he explained. These sessions provide officers with guidance, helping them maintain balance between their demanding roles and their spiritual obligations.
Before joining AUSSOM, Sheikh Sesay was already deeply engaged in religious outreach, traveling across provinces to teach and advise fellow officers. His work in Somalia continues that mission on an international stage.
Like many peacekeepers, Sheikh Sesay has faced personal challenges during deployment. Being away from loved ones remains one of the most difficult aspects of his duty.
“One of the biggest challenges I have faced is missing my family, my children and my community,” he shared. “I served as an Imam in my community for many years, so being away from them has been difficult.”
Yet, despite these sacrifices, his commitment to faith and service remains unwavering.
As AUSSOM continues its efforts to stabilise Somalia, individuals like Sheikh Sesay highlight the human dimension of PSOs, where leadership is not only measured by operational success but also by the ability to uplift others.
Through his teachings, mentorship and dedication, Sheikh Sesay is not only supporting security operations but also shaping disciplined, morally grounded officers, demonstrating that true strength on the frontline comes from conviction and character.