ENGAGEMENT IN THE SELF-PROCLAIMED REPUBLIC OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000067 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR AF/FO, NAIROBI FOR SOMALI WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2014 TAGS: MOPS PREL PTER DJ SOM SUBJECT: ENGAGEMENT IN THE SELF-PROCLAIMED REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND Classified By: POLOFF C. BEAMER FOR REASONS 1.5 (A) and (D) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Somaliland officials have been practicing an unprecedented diplomatic offensive in Djibouti recently with both U.S. and Djiboutian representatives. Somaliland Foreign Minister Edna Ismail has met with DAS Yamamoto, AmEmbassy Djibouti CDA Timothy Smith, CJTF-HOA Brigadier General Robeson, and CJTF-HOA POLAD Ambassador Schermerhorn since January 4. Ismail also held meetings with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh which were subsequently labeled "a secret mission" in the internet press. On January 13 Guelleh received Somaliland Interior Minister Ismail Aden Osman in meetings that were publicly detailed in the local press as concerning "the security domain and the war against contraband at the level of frontiers." Ismail may be following suggestions from the USG that the Government of Djibouti was the only conduit for U.S. Security Assistance to Somaliland and it would appear that the GODJ and the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland are taking measures to formalize that conduit in advance of any real USG preparation. Post would like to draw attention to this development and establish clear, front channel engagement protocol for all USG actors in the region. END SUMMARY. SOMALILAND FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL -------------- ¶2. (C) Somaliland Foreign Minister Edna Ismail has taken advantage of personal relationships with USG representatives in recent months to advance engagement with the USG. Ismail, and other Somaliland representatives, have repeated the mantra of rightful sovereignty coupled with a call for increased U.S. cooperation, particularly regarding security concerns and the Global War on Terrorism. Ismail is clearly intrigued by the possibility of limited USG security assistance such as training for security forces in cooperation with the Djiboutian Government. Post finds it noteworthy that GODJ President Guelleh's meetings regarding "security" and "frontiers" with the Interior Minister of Somaliland made front page, above the fold coverage in the January 14 edition of the state sponsored "La Nation," signifying that news event was an important change in policy. COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (C) Djibouti is a major player in the Somalia peace and reconciliation process currently taking place in Kenya. Somaliland is an integral part of any lasting peace. Sunday's AFP report of a DOS high level official offering significant USG "financial and diplomatic" resources were being contemplated for the Somalia peace process have piqued Djiboutian interest at all levels. Post feels it is important for the USG to advance policy in a concerted manner in Somalia and would like an updated engagement protocol for the region as local foreign actors begin to manipulate isolated messages and outreach to further their own interests. END COMMENT. SMITH