Former Somalia police chief Zakia Hussen appointed AU senior policing adviser
The senior officer said she looks forward to sharing her experiences from “the other side”, referring to Somalia, which has long been the recipient of the AU’s largest peacekeeping operation.
Former Police Commissioner of the Somali Police Force, Brigadier General Zakia Hussen Ahmed, has been appointed Senior Policing Adviser for African peacekeeping operations with the African Union (AU) and other regional security partners.
The senior officer said she looks forward to sharing her experiences from “the other side”, referring to Somalia, which has long been the recipient of the AU’s largest peacekeeping operation.
More To Read
- Somali President Hassan Sheikh hosts UAE minister for talks on security, development
- WHO Africa summit urges investment to end maternal mortality
- Somalia’s government, opposition unite to fast-track elections, constitutional reform
- Somali opposition faction strikes electoral deal with President Hassan
- What should Trump’s policy towards Somalia be?
- TICAD9 summit ends with ambitious pledges to drive Africa’s transformation
She noted that her appointment marks an important chapter in Somalia’s security journey, being the first time a former Somali security chief has joined the peacekeeping arena.
She said the role reflects how far the Somali Security Forces have developed in both talent and skills.
“Excited to be working in a new role as Senior Policing Adviser for African peacekeeping operations with the African Union and other regional security partners. Harnessing local talent is vital for sustainable progress, and I am pleased to form part of that cohort of African security chiefs that will help develop policies and best practices for African peacekeeping,” she said.
Her key responsibilities will include providing expert advice to the AU and national police services on the development and implementation of peace support operations (PSO) doctrines, policies, and standards.
She will also support the strengthening of AU-led operations, assist in building self-sustaining police forces through training, and help design roadmaps for recruitment, retention, and deployment.
Born on February 6, 1984, in Mogadishu, Somalia, General Zakia fled the civil war with her family at the age of six and relocated to Sweden, where she received most of her early education.
At 22, she moved to London, completing her higher education and graduating with two Master’s degrees specialising in International Relations and Diplomacy.
In her biography, she recounts how her time at university deepened her involvement in the Somali community abroad, where she became part of a global socio-political movement led by Somali youths with a nationalist agenda.
Driven by a desire to help re-establish the rule of law and governance in her homeland, she chose to leave the UK and return to Somalia, despite having no family there to support her resettlement.
According to her profile, she was influenced and inspired by her grandfather’s struggle for independence, and angered by the rise of extremist ideologies both within the Somali diaspora in the UK and back home. This made her a prominent activist in the Somali community, and she was invited to speak at several international conferences on Somalia.
Towards the end of 2012, General Zakia relocated to Somalia and began working as Programme Manager for a local think tank. Inspired to serve more directly, she later joined the Somali Police Force, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Police Commissioner and eventually Police Commissioner.
Top Stories Today
