1. (C) Somaliland President Daher Rayaleh Kahin, accompanied
by his Foreign Minister Edna Adan Ismail, and other
ministers, were in Djibouti February 12 and morning of
February 13 for talks with Djiboutian officials, including
President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Prime Minister Dileita
Mohamed Dileita. Ambassador met with FM Ismail at the
Sheraton Hotel evening of February 12 and heard her describe
the just-concluded South African leg of the group's travel as
the outcome of a long-standing invitation from the ruling
African National Congress (ANC) party. There were no meetings
with President Thabo Mbeki or with Foreign Minister Nkosazana
Zuma, but there were extended briefings to the ANC on the
situation in Somalia and Somaliland. In addition, the party
met with Professor Iqbal Jhazbhay, a contact Ambassador
cultivated during an earlier tour in Pretoria, who has
written on Islam and on Somali issues. Jhazbhay has been
designated as Honorary Consul for Somaliland in South Africa.
FM Ismail also took advantage of the South African visit to
conduct some speaking engagements to talk about Somaliland's
"growing democracy."



2. (C) The return visit to Djibouti included the meeting and
follow-on lunch with President Guelleh and Prime Minister
Dileita. The visit also included a private audience for
Ismail with Djibouti's First Lady. Ismail said the
relationship with Djibouti is growing closer and stronger.
(See Ref) The border between the two countries has
re-opened, there is free flow of traffic, agreement on travel
of Somalilanders to Djibouti using Somaliland passports and
greater cross-border cooperation, especially on security
matters and contraband interdiction. Djibouti has provided
office accommodations and furnishings for a Somaliland office
in Djibouti and plans to send a representative "soon" to
Somaliland.



3. (C) FM Ismail said she "sensed disillusionment" on the
part of Guelleh with the situation in Somalia and that he is
seeing "value" in closer ties with Somaliland. Yet, she
admitted, Guelleh is "very careful" in the words he selects
to use with her government. She spoke positively of Guelleh's
commitment to peace in Somalia and praised the role of
Djibouti's Foreign Minister Ali Abdi Farah in the process.
She did not indicate that any new ground was broken in the
current visit other than to further cooperation.



4. (C) FM Ismail noted that while she and her President were
in Ethiopia, they had approached the African Union (AU) to
ask that an AU delegation visit and assess the Republic of
Somaliland and its democratization process. This was
approved, and the delegation is set to arrive in Somaliland,
according to Ismail, "towards the end of February or the
beginning of March." She did not have information on the
composition of this delegation.



5. (C) Ambassador took the opportunity of the meeting to
raise with FM Ismail the points conveyed in Garey and Zorick
e-mails of 2/11/05. Following are responses/reactions from
FM Ismail:

-- On parliamentary elections, Somaliland needs to be certain
of those eligible to vote. It needs more complete rosters to
identify, for example, tribal affiliations in order to
achieve a more democratic process. If there is any delay in
holding of elections, it will be a delay of only a month or
so to assure these matters are resolved. The constitution
does allow for such a delay.

-- On the matter of Zam Zam Dualeh, the human rights
accusations made by Ms. Dualeh are unfounded. Extensive
follow-up, including independent medical examinations by
Dualeh's clan physician, and FM Ismail's personal visit with
Dualeh revealed no abuse of the type alleged. Ms. Dualeh
appears to have mental problems that have also been confirmed
by Ms. Dualeh's mother -- who resided with her in the prison.
Ms. Dualeh likely has a political agenda fueled by her clan
affiliation with Abdillahi Yusuf. Although released from
prison, she continues to cause unjustifiable difficulties for
Somaliland by her allegations to the press, Amnesty
International, and western governments. Ms. Dualeh was
arrested because she behaved in a way that was threatening to
a Somaliland official, including camping out in front of the
official's home, claiming falsely to be a relative, and
making available a photograph of herself in guerrilla gear.

-- On the admonishment that Somaliland should avoid publicly
criticizing the TNG, it has been unnecessary for Somaliland
to speak publicly against the TNG because the TNG "is saying
it all themselves by their actions." FM Ismail said she will
continue to point out, however, that Somaliland is building
and improving its democracy.



6. (C) Request from FM: FM Ismail asked that Ambassador
convey to the Department of State her desire "to be invited"
to visit Washington soonest to "meet with the new team." She
said an "invitation" would help make the case to Kahin for
such a visit and ensure a firm program. (It is unclear who
would be expected to finance such a visit.) Embassy is
prepared to convey Washington's response via Somaliland's
representative in Djibouti, if Department desires.
RAGSDALE