AU Names New Bosses for Somalia Mission

In a move that presents hope for the beleaguered peacekeeping mission in Somalia, the African Union has appointed new leadership for the African Union Stabilisation and Support Mission in Somalia (Aussom), naming Senegalese diplomat El Hadji Ibrahima Diene “Boly” as head and Djibouti’s Mouktar Osman Karie as his deputy…The officials replace Mohamed Al Amine Souef, appointed AU Chairperson’s Chief of Staff in March, and Siyuvile Thandikhaya Bam, whose tenure ended unceremoniously in April this year, when the AU recalled him, just over a year into his tour of duty…In a statement, Aussom said Ambassador Diene brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held various tactical, operational, and strategic positions within and outside Senegal, spanning conflict and crisis settings in West, Central, and East Africa…Ambassador Karie, on the other hand, has diplomatic and political experience in peace and security across Africa, having most recently served as Regional Desk Coordinator for West Africa at the AU Commission, where he provided high-level strategic engagement with member states and regional organisations. (The East African)