Beletweyne, Jowhar — Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, joined Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), on a solidarity visit to Beledweyne and Jowhar to assess troop welfare and operational readiness.

Ms. Sadozai said the joint visit demonstrated UNSOS’ solidarity to signify strong partnership in support of mandate delivery. 

She also commended the AUSSOM leadership for the cooperation and support.

During the joint visit, Ms. Sadozai honoured the dedication of AUSSOM troops in Somalia and reaffirmed UNSOS’ steadfast support towards implementation of the AUSSOM mandate. 

“As UNSOS, we fully recognise what you are facing every day; the sacrifices you make, the work that you do to ensure operational continuity,” Ms. Sadozai said.

She also met with and addressed UN staff in Beledweyne and Jowhar during town hall meetings, briefing them on UNSOS’ priorities and next steps for providing logistical support to AUSSOM troops on the frontlines.

The delegation included AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Police Commissioner, AIGP Hillary Sao Kanu, Acting Head of Mission Support, Ms. Maxmillian Okech, and UNSOS Chief of Supply Chain, Fabio Mevoli.

In Beledweyne, the UN and AU delegation met with AUSSOM Djiboutian and Ethiopian officers led by OiC Sector Four Commander, Brig. Gen. Shumet Telelew, while in Jowhar, they met with AUSSOM Burundian troops led by the Sector Five Commander, Col Oscar Hatungimana.

Ambassador Diene, also the Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia, recognised UNSOS support to AUSSOM and emphasised AUSSOM’s dedication to the Somali people, professionalism and impartiality expected of AU Peace Support Operations in executing their duties to support the Somali-led peace and security process.

He recalled AUSSOM's mandate, including degrading and defeating Al-Shabaab, conducting stabilisation initiatives, protecting civilians and creating a safe and conducive environment to facilitate humanitarian action.

“We are here for the people of Somalia, and our collective success will depend on all of them. I reiterate my honour as the Head of AUSSOM and my privilege as the SRCC to work with the formidable and gallant people you are. I will not let you down,” said Ambassador Diene.

The AUSSOM Force Commander commended the Troop and Police Contributing Countries, for the unwavering commitment to supporting efforts to restore Somalia’s peace and stability.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Ethiopian and Djiboutian forces for their strategic control of the Sector Four which effectively prevented Al-Shabaab from penetrating this area. I also commend the Ghana police for their exceptional work and the vital support,” Lt. Gen. Kavuma said. “I want to thank the Burundian contingent, the Government and the people of Burundi for the great work they have done and their contribution here in Somalia,” he added in Jowhar.

He also expressed appreciation for the partnership with UNSOS and stressed the unity of purpose to achieve mandate delivery.