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).

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MARITIME SECURITY A PRIORITY FOR AU AND MEMBER STATES
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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.

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AU WELCOMES DIALOGUE WITH THE USG ON MARITIME SECURITY
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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