Nineteen-year-old Samiya Mohamed dreams of becoming a pilot in a country where women in aviation are scarce.?
Ms. Mohamed¡¯s journey took a transformative turn when she enrolled in an aviation training programme for young Somalis offered by the 51³Ô¹Ï Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
As an Aeronautical Information Management trainee at the Aviation and Movement Control office in Mogadishu, Mohamed exemplifies the collaborative efforts of UNSOS, the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in aviation security, ramp management, air operations, medical evacuation, and meteorology.
¡°This is the best path for me to understand how to manage aviation activities and a significant step toward my dream of becoming a pilot,¡± she says.
UNSOS Aviation Services is empowering?the?future?generation of aviation experts by training, coaching, and mentoring Somali air personnel, Somali Special Forces, Somali Air Force, and civilian aviation students.?
During a recent visit to the Aviation Section in Mogadishu, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare said: ¡°The future does not rely on the continuation of the African Union or UNSOS. The future lies in a sovereign, secure, self-sufficient, and democratic Republic of Somalia.¡±
Somalia¡¯s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, expressed confidence in the partnership's ability to fulfil Somalia¡¯s peacebuilding aspirations: ¡°In a few years, Somalia will be improved, particularly in aviation capabilities.¡±
¡°It is a complex field, and it¡¯s not easy to enrol in an aviation university or gain skills through the UN and AU's on-the-job training,¡± he said.?
The Head of UNSOS, Aisa Kacyira, stressed the importance of the partnership in transferring security and other responsibilities to the Somali government.
¡°If there is anywhere the UN and the AU can make a difference, it is in Somalia because they not only speak but also follow their words with action,¡± said Ms. Kacyira.?
Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Head of ATMIS, praised UNSOS for its capacity-building programme: ¡°We are nurturing and supporting a generation that can take over the future. We are proud of UNSOS for its contributions to this mission.¡±
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