On August 4, 2025, H.E Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene “Boly”, the newly appointed Special Representative Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), visited the Kismayo New Airport Main Operating Base to familiarize himself with the recently deployed contingents and assess ongoing operations in the region.
On his maiden visit to troops in the theatre, Amb Diene was accompanied by the AUSSOM Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Kindu Gezu and the military Chief Engineer, Col Suleiman Ibrahim among other Officers. He was welcomed by AUSSOM Sector II Commander Brigadier Edward Banda and other senior officers. Upon arrival, Amb Diene inspected a guard of honour mounted by AUSSOM-KDF troops.
He later proceeded to the Sector II Headquarters, where he signed the visitors’ book and joined other mission partners for a briefing session. The session covered the current security situation in the region, achievements and ongoing operations aimed at attainment of AUSSOM’s mandate.
In his remarks, the SRCC commended AUSSOM troops and partners, for their sacrifices made and accomplishments. He noted that his visit was intentional and aimed at understanding grassroots challenges to inform strategic decisions. He further emphasized on the importance of consolidating the expertise of all mission partners to achieve the shared goal of a peaceful and stable Somalia.
“I am very impressed by the complexity of the work each of you are doing. We need the combined expertise of all partners, along with the efforts of our international counterparts, which are critical and add value to the mission. It is how we work together that will make the difference for the Somali people,” said the SRCC.
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