25 October 2026 | Mogadishu, Somalia – Twenty personnel from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and Somali Government institutions have completed a two-week Basic Aircraft Accident Investigation Course (BAAI) organised by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation. The initiative aims to strengthen Somalia’s national expertise and establish a foundation for conducting aircraft accident investigations in accordance with international standards.
Delivered online in collaboration with Enterprises University of Pretoria in South Africa from 12 to 23 October, the course equipped aviation and security personnel with the knowledge and practical skills to examine accident sites, analyse aircraft systems and human factors, and determine the causes of accidents and serious incidents. These capabilities are essential to drawing lessons from investigations, addressing safety gaps and preventing future occurrences, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and Somalia’s civil aviation regulations.
As the course concluded, the Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNSOS, Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, emphasised the importance of strengthening Somalia’s aviation sector to take greater responsibility for aircraft accident investigations over the long term.
"These two weeks of intensive basic aircraft accident investigation course is very much the first step towards ensuring that the Government of Somalia and the aviation industry have the right capacity to manage investigations and understand how to do that beyond the lifespan of UNSOS," Ms. Sadozai said.
She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training, stressing that completing the course was only the beginning of their professional development and an important step towards enhancing Somalia's national expertise and capacity for aircraft accident investigation.
The curriculum covered ICAO Annex 13, aviation safety management systems, legal frameworks governing investigations, aircraft systems, human performance factors and accident-site procedures. Participants were introduced to every stage of an investigation process, from securing a crash site and gathering factual information to analysing evidence and determining the factors contributing to an accident or serious incident.
Building on the principles of ICAO Annex 13, Kingsley Boateng, UNSOS Chief Aviation Safety Officer, explained that accident investigations seek to identify causes and contributing factors to prevent future incidents, rather than assigning blame. Reflecting on the training, he commended the trainees: “I am proud of the progress made by the twenty participants of the BAAI and confident of their ability to improve the overall safety culture and posture of Somalia and their respective countries.”
For Somalia's Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority, the training represents a valuable investment in national aviation safety capabilities. Liban Said Shire, Director of the Authority, underscored the importance of effective investigations in preventing future accidents and protecting lives.
"Every aircraft accident reminds us of the responsibility we share: to protect human life and make aviation safer. This two-week training has been successfully conducted, and it has covered legal aspects, crash-site analysis, hangar analysis, aircraft systems and human factors," noted Liban.
Beyond technical knowledge, the practical exercises provided participants with hands-on experience in conducting investigations and developing safety recommendations. The training emphasized identifying the root causes of accidents and translating findings into measures that can strengthen aviation safety systems.
Among the participants was Hibo Mohamud Kulmiye, a senior air traffic controller with the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, who reflected how the course had deepened her understanding of aviation safety and the role of comprehensive investigations in preventing future accidents.
"The most important lessons I have learned are the importance of following approved procedures, effective communication, proper supervision, human factors, and identifying the root causes of accidents rather than blaming individuals," said Kulmiye.
Other participants described the programme as a practical introduction to the principles and procedures that guide international accident investigations. For Captain Bismark Kibet, an air traffic controller with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) based in Kismayo, the course provided a clearer understanding of how ICAO Annex 13 can be applied while promoting the importance of reporting occurrences and promoting a culture of reporting and learning from errors.
The course forms part of an internationally recognised certification programme and is a prerequisite for the Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation (AAAI) course. It is designed to develop a cadre of qualified personnel able to support or conduct investigations in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, Doc 9756, and relevant national regulations.
The completion of the training marks another milestone in efforts to strengthen Somalia's aviation safety and accident investigation framework. By fostering collaboration among Somali Government institutions, AUSSOM and UNSOS, the initiative contributes to building sustainable national capacity for aviation accident investigation and improving aviation safety across the country.
