Hillary Sao Kanu is a senior Sierra Leonean police officer who has served as Commissioner of Police of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) since 2023.

Hillary Sao Kanu
Hillary Sao Kanu in 2023
Commissioner of Police of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia
Assumed office
2 March 2023
Personal details
Alma mater
ProfessionPolice officer

Life

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Hillary Sao Kanu studied at the Fourah Bay College of the University of Sierra Leone and passed a bachelor's degree in Social Work.[1] In July 1992, she joined the Sierra Leone Police as an investigator and was enlisted in the special branch in 1993.[2] In 2007, she became head of the Sierra Leone Police Media Unit.[3] Between 2008 and 2009, she worked in Darfur for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission (UNAMID), where she was first a United Nations police officer then worked at the headquarters of the mission in Elfashia.[2][4]

She worked as a local unit commander in Kissy then at the Sierra Leone Police headquarters as the Director of Support Services and a police commander of the Bo District.[1][4][5] She is also the first woman to be a regional police commander.[6]

Her role for ATMIS started on 2 March 2023 with the aim to maintain security and stability in Somalia, train the local police force and provide equipment.[7][8] In July, she awarded several medals to Nigerian police officers who completed their tour.[9] She praised Sierra Leonean police officers who took part in the peace effort in Somalia during their ATMIS mission.[10][11] She oversaw various trainings for the Somali Police Force.[12] She also focuses her effort on terrorist threats such as al-Shabab.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kithumbu, Alex (2023-05-17). "Commissioner of Police (CP) Hillary Sao Kanu". African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  2. ^ a b Media, Sierra Express (2010). "32 nabbed for drugs – Sierra Express Media". Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  3. ^ Massaquoi, Mohamed (30 January 2007). "Sierra Leone: New Boss for Police Media Unit". All Africa. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "ATMIS Police Commissioner formally assumes office". www.somaliland.com. March 4, 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  5. ^ "Bo Stakeholders Honour New Police IG". Global Times Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  6. ^ "BO Lauds First Female Regional Police Commander". Sierraloaded. 2022-09-18. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  7. ^ "Commissioner of Sierra Leone Police Arrives in Somalia". Sierraloaded. 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  8. ^ APO Group (2023-11-09). "African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) donates Equipment to Somali Police Force". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  9. ^ "ATMIS honours Nigeria Police Officers for contributions to the peace and security process in Somalia". hornobserver.com. 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  10. ^ "ATMIS lauds Sierra Leone Police officers for contribution to peace and security in Somalia". hornobserver.com. 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  11. ^ "Sierra Leone Police honored for Excellent Performance in Somalia". AYV News Channel. 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  12. ^ Ganot, Steven (2023-06-25). "African Union Trains Somali Traffic Police Ahead of Security Handover". The Media Line. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  13. ^ Supran, A. (2024-01-01). "ATMIS to prioritise defeating al-Shabab, strengthening Somali forces in 2024". Asian Independent. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  14. ^ Odyek, John (31 December 2023). "ATMIS to continue fight against Al Shabaab in Somalia". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-02.