12 November 2026 | Mogadishu Somalia. The Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, visited AUSSOM sectors in Baidoa, Jowhar and Beledweyne in October 2026 to engage with mission personnel and military leadership, review operational requirements and reaffirm UNSOS’s commitment to providing essential logistical and life-support services in support of Somalia’s security transition.
The visits provided Ms. Sadozai an opportunity to engage directly with AUSSOM troop-contributing countries, UNSOS personnel and other UN colleagues working in different operational environments across Somalia. Discussions focused on the logistical requirements underpinning AUSSOM operations, security challenges and the importance of close coordination to maintain continuity of essential operations.
Baidoa
On 13 October 2026, Ms. Sadozai visited Baidoa where she was received with military honours, and met Brigadier General Hashim Mohamed, AUSSOM Sector 3 Force Commander, and senior Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) leadership to discuss logistical priorities, security challenges and the importance of coordinated planning as the mission navigates the transition.
“Coming to Baidoa was a very important visit, especially now that we are going through this complex transition. I wanted to come and talk to my team and talk to you and also strengthen our partnership that has been very strong over the last many years”, she emphasised.
Ms. Sadozai expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian contingent for its continued cooperation in a challenging security environment, particularly for helping safeguard UNSOS personnel. Brigadier General Mohamed welcomed the visit and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to strengthen engagement between the two missions.
The discussions also addressed the logistical planning required to ensure an orderly transition. Ms. Sadozai reaffirmed that UNSOS would continue working closely with AUSSOM leadership to coordinate support for deployed personnel and their operational requirements.
During a town hall with UN personnel and contractors, the Acting ASG acknowledged the uncertainty and pressures associated with the evolving mission environment and funding constraints, commending staff for maintaining their commitment despite these challenges. She also listened to their concerns and toured the UN compound, where she received briefings on support operations, medical preparedness and infrastructure requirements.
Jowhar
On 21 October 2026. Ms. Sadozai continued her field engagement in Jowhar, where she met Brigadier General Michel Ndenzako, AUSSOM Sector 5 Force Commander from the Burundian National Defence Force (BNDF).
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss operational priorities and reaffirm the partnership between UNSOS and the Burundian contingent. Ms. Sadozai underscored UNSOS’s role in providing the logistical support that enable AUSSOM to carry out its mandate, while recognising the contribution of troops serving in Somalia.
“UNSOS, as you know, is in partnership with AUSSOM. Without you, we are not here. UNSOS is only here to support the operations of AUSSOM as your logistics backbone. We fully recognise how much you have given to this country. And we thank you for that support to Somalia”.
Brigadier General Ndenzako outlined the conditions in which those operations take place, describing the security situation in Sector 5 as relatively calm but fragile. He noted that troops continue to maintain a presence at key locations and forward operating bases, while conducting patrols and sharing intelligence to preserve freedom of movement around principal access points. His remarks illustrated the operational context in which the logistical partnership between AUSSOM and UNSOS remains essential.
During her visit to the UN camp, Ms. Sadozai met the personnel and contractors responsible for delivering essential services. Addressing staff, she acknowledged the demanding conditions in which they work and the importance of their contribution to UNSOS operations, praising them for being at the forefront of the Mission’s work and carrying out its day-to-day responsibilities in the field.
Beledweyne
Later on, Ms. Sadozai travelled to Beledweyne, where she met AUSSOM Sector 4 leadership, including Sector Commander Colonel Abdourahman Rayaleh Hared of the Djiboutian National Defence Force (DNDF) and Deputy Sector Commander Colonel Wendimu Nemomsa of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF).
The sector’s operational environment brings together contingents from Djibouti and Ethiopia, alongside the Ghana Police Force, making coordination among military, police and logistical counterparts particularly important. This close cooperation is essential to maintaining operational continuity and ensuring that logistical arrangements respond to the needs of the different contingents.
During discussions with AUSSOM leadership, Ms. Sadozai reiterated UNSOS’s commitment to delivering effective and accountable logistical and life-support services in line with operational needs.
During her engagement with UNSOS personnel, Ms. Sadozai outlined two priorities for the period ahead: enabling an orderly drawdown of AUSSOM and managing the process together with the current staff who have the experience and expertise to deliver it effectively. She stressed the importance of preserving the mission’s legacy while managing costs and ensuring that teams remain central to the transition process.
