EUCOM J5 AND AU DISCUSS MARITIME SECURITY IN AFRICA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 004178 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/RSA, AF/E, AF/W, AF/S, NP, AF/EPS. LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS. NAVEUR FOR AMB. DEAN CURRAN AND ADM ULRICH. USEUCOM FOR AMB. MARY YATES AND MAJ GEN GRATION. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHSA EWWT PTER AU XA SUBJECT: EUCOM J5 AND AU DISCUSS MARITIME SECURITY IN AFRICA REF: ADDIS ABABA 3273 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The African Union (AU) takes maritime security seriously, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Bernard Zoba told EUCOM J5 Maj Gen Scott Gration and Polad Amb. Mary Yates December 16. The AU is adopting a step-by-step approach to ensure member states receive the required assistance to implement International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions and other maritime security measures. The AU welcomes dialogue with the USG, but must complete a survey of member state maritime security provisions before it can identify specific needs requirements. End summary. ¶2. (U) Also present were AU Head of Infrastructure and Tourism Division David Kajange, EUCOM's military LNO to the AU, and Poloff (notetaker). -------------- -------------- MARITIME SECURITY A PRIORITY FOR AU AND MEMBER STATES -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) AU maritime security point person David Kajange said that infrastructure issues have become increasingly important for the AU and its member states, who place a priority on maritime security and are cognizant of the need to adhere to certain principles and actions to avoid losing maritime trade, he said. Kajange noted that member states expect the AU to lead the charge in ensuring African country implementation of IMO conventions and other relevant maritime security measures. ¶4. (SBU) Kajange said that the AU views member state implementation of International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) provisions as particularly urgent and is working with the IMO towards that end. (Note: The AU and IMO recently signed a memorandum of cooperation. End note.) As a first step, though, the AU plans a survey of member states to determine maritime security status and requirements. Kajange said that while African port authorities are relatively well organized and IMO port audits are under way, a continental legal and strategic framework for maritime issues is lacking. ¶5. (SBU) Kajange noted that lack of agreement on maritime borders and limited capacity make policing maritime boundaries difficult. At the same time, Somali piracy makes clear the inherent link between trade and peace and security of African coasts. Kajange pointed out that maritime security is not only a question of ports and ships, but also of transport corridors in Africa. He also noted that the AU sees linkages between overall infrastructure safety and stability and maritime security. He confirmed that the AU views oil platform security as a continental issue and is considering how to navigate sensitivies to tackle the issue. According to Kajange, AU member states are pressing for a continental-level discussion of maritime issues and African representatives at the IMO have suggested a ministerial meeting. -------------- -------------- AU WELCOMES DIALOGUE WITH THE USG ON MARITIME SECURITY -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Kajange welcomed the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the USG, both to determine support requirements following the results of the AU survey, and to coordinate support delivery. He said that the AU wants to ensure all member states adhere to a harmonized set of minimum standards, and also to put in place a structure for coordination and information-sharing. Kajange stated that the AU is taking a systematic approach to maritime security, which puts a premium on needs-identification as a first step. ADDIS ABAB 00004178 002 OF 002 Kajange said that the AU expects survey results to be available by mid-2006, but noted that lack of funding has impeded the AU's ability to hire consultants for the task. (Note: The AU has circulated an "immediate needs" funding request to partners, which includes USD 136,000 for "an evaluation of member state implementation of international conventions on maritime safety and security, including the ISPS; elaboration of a strategy and plan of action to accelerate member state implementation of maritime conventions; a stakeholders workshop; and a ministerial meeting on maritime security." End note.) ¶7. (SBU) Maj Gen Gration welcomed the AU initiative to enhance African maritime security. He expressed interest in the AU's survey results, noting that a better understanding of the AU's specific requirements in the realm of maritime security will make it easier for G8 partners to coordinate assistance through the Africa Clearinghouse mechanism. ¶8. (SBU) Maj Gen Gration noted that the AU will at some point also need to consider detection, command and control and integrated/interoperable capacity to act to enforce maritime security. He suggested that an African Center of Excellence on maritime issues could be useful to harmonize training and other approaches. Amb. Yates noted that Admiral Ulrich is planning a visit to Addis to meet with AU officials in February 2006 to further discuss ways in which NAVEUR may be able to assist the AU in meeting maritime security objectives. ¶9. (SBU) Commissioner Zoba characterized his first interaction with EUCOM as "positive" and said the AU would welcome continued discussion with the USG on maritime security issues. He added that the AU would also invite the U.S. to participate in major continental fora on maritime topics. ¶10. (U) This cable was cleared by Maj Gen Gration and EUCOM Polad Amb. Yates. HUDDLESTON