For Josphine Njeru, a civilian working with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), service precedes profession.
At AUSSOM, Njeru is a Senior Civilian Casualty Tracking, Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC) and Board of Inquiry (BOI) Officer. Her role sits at the heart of civilian harm mitigation, establishing facts, ensuring accountability, and responding to incidents that affect local communities.
For her, service is a commitment to humanity, accountability, and the belief that African solutions can shape a more peaceful continent. With over 15 years of experience, Josphine has built a career grounded in Pan-Africanism and a deep sense of responsibility to protect the lives and dignity of civilians caught in conflict.
Her job is demanding and complex, requiring precision, fairness, and moral clarity. Every report represents real people and real lives. Not just numbers.
“I was inspired by the chance to serve a cause greater than myself,” she says, “The African Union (AU) represents the hope that African institutions can respond to African challenges with commitment, purpose, and responsibility.”
That belief continues to guide her work in Somalia, where peacebuilding efforts require patience, resilience, and trust, and the result is often slow to manifest.
Josphine’s motivation is fuelled by a deep desire to help the protection of civilians and uphold justice. For her, professionalism and truth are what restore confidence between the peace mission and the Somali communities they serve at AUSSOM.
Serving in a high-pressure field has only strengthened her conviction about women’s capabilities.
“What matters most is competence, resilience, and opportunity, not gender,” she reaffirms.
Her experience in Somalia has reinforced that women can excel in the toughest operational environments and contribute meaningfully to peace and security efforts.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, Josphine views it as both a celebration and a call to action, a moment to recognise achievements while acknowledging the work still needed to secure equality and justice for women everywhere.
To aspiring women professionals, she urges them to believe in themselves, invest in their skills, and step confidently into challenging spaces whenever opportunities present themselves.
“Women belong in peace and security, leadership, and decision-making,” Josphine says.
Through dedication, integrity, and quiet strength, Josphine embodies the spirit of Pan-African service, proving that lasting peace is built not only through policies and missions but through people like her and the many other women and men in AUSSOM committed to making a difference in Somalia.