Kismayo —The Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (SRCC) and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Amb. El Hadji Ibrahima Diene conducted a joint visit to Kismayo, Jubaland State, on Monday to assess the mission’s performance, evaluate personnel welfare, and strengthen partnership. 

During the visit, Ms. Sadozai reaffirmed UNSOS's commitment to providing effective logistics support to AUSSOM to strengthen peace and security in Somalia.

“We do appreciate every day what you do and how much you work to ensure that the seamless logistical support is provided to our clients. Our support is meant to continue supporting our clients, which is our AUSSOM colleagues, Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), Formed Police Units (FPUs), and everybody we serve under our mandate,” said Ms. Sadozai while addressing UN and AUSSOM personnel stationed in Kismayo.

She was accompanied by AUSSOM Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Police Commissioner Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Hillary Sao Kanu, UNSOS Senior Programme Officer and Chief of Transition Planning Cell Patrick Duah, Officer-In-Charge Service Delivery Babacar Diop and Chief Regional Coordination Unit Mesfin Akalu. 

Upon arrival, Ms. Sadozai, alongside the delegation, were received by Sector Two Commander Brigadier General Edward Banda. Brig. Gen. Banda provided a comprehensive briefing on the current security landscape, emerging Al-Shabaab trends, operational challenges, and the logistical role of UNSOS during AUSSOM’s transition phase. 

Ms. Sadozai acknowledged the immense sacrifices by AUSSOM frontline troops and emphasised UNSOS’ commitment to supporting AUSSOM.

“We are here in strong partnership and solidarity to support all of you. Please rest assured, knowing that every day when we are in Mogadishu, we are thinking only of how to ensure seamless logistical support to all of you on the front lines,” she said.  

Ms. Sadozai thanked KDF and SLFPU personnel for their continued sacrifice and support in ensuring seamless logistical transitions, peace, and stability in Somalia.  

The SRCC reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to implementing its mandate, commending the personnel for their role in supporting a Somalia-led peace process.

“We are here today for two objectives. The first one is to see how you are doing, what you are doing, what your challenges are, and how we can support mandate implementation. We are also here together with UNSOS to show unity of purpose,” Amb. Diene said.    

“I am reassured by what I just heard and saw. Our four strategic priorities; degrade Al- Shabaab, contribute to the stabilization, protect civilians and care for a safe and conducive environment favorable to humanitarian action. You’re doing your best on that.”  

The SRCC also emphasised the mission’s solidarity with the Somali people amid severe drought, praising the troops for their Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives.    

Kismayo, situated within the Sector Two Area of Responsibility, is currently secured by AUSSOM troops from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with support from the Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit (SLFPU).    

The Force Commander expressed gratitude to Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and UNSOS for their unwavering support to AUSSOM operations.  

“I therefore want to salute you (Brig. Gen. Banda) and, through you, the leadership of the KDF, the leadership of Kenya, and the people of Kenya. I also want to thank the SLFPU, the commandant, and your team for a job well done in supporting the sector with policing and for carrying out your duties despite the difficulties, challenges, and the environment in which you operate,” said Lt. Gen. Kavuma.    

AIGP Kanu thanked the cooperation among KDF, SLFPU, and UN staff towards advancing the AUSSOM mandate. 

“We are all fighting for one goal, and the goal is stability and to ensure that there is peace for the wider community, and I want to appreciate you,” said AIGP Kanu.    

The delegation also met with the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), UNSOS, and contractor personnel, recognising their essential contributions to the mission support operations.