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
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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
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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
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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