C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002396

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

AF FOR DAS YAMAMOTO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR AU SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: KENYAN FM TALKS ABOUT IGAD PLANS FOR
IGASOM

REF: ADDIS ABABA 2389

Classified By: Charge Janet Wilgus for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs Raphael
Tuju told the Charge and European envoys August 31 that an
IGAD peace support mission to Somalia (IGASOM) would deploy
with a clear mandate: protect the TFG in Baidoa, train a
civil protection force, and encourage dialogue with the ICU.
Tuju said that IGAD seeks international community support in
order to "to change the facts on the ground" with an IGASOM
deployment in Somalia and added that real choice boils down
to which troops the international community wants in Somalia
-- IGASOM or Ethiopian. End Summary.


2. (C) In advance of an African Union Peace and Security
Council meeting, Foreign Minister Tuju briefed the Charge and
EU envoys August 31 to seek support for an IGAD troop
deployment in Somalia and outline its mandate. Tuju
explained that IGAD needs international community support for
a UN resolution to lift the arms embargo. He noted that it
was in everyone's best interest to act without further delay.
IGAD was committed and ready for an IGASOM deployment
beginning September 28. IGAD sought the "blessing" of the
EU, UN, and AU and envisioned international participation in
the form of financial and logistical support. He noted,
however, that IGAD would move forward with a troop deployment
in Somalia with or without financial assistance. Tuju
rhetorically asked his diplomatic audience which they
preferred in Somalia, IGASOM or Ethiopian troops.


3. (C) The Foreign Minister explained that IGASOM would have
a clear mandate: protect the TFG in Baidoa, train a civil
protection force, and encourage dialogue with the ICU. Tuju
said that to preserve the TFG, Charter, and institutions the
first order of business would be to mobilize and train a
civil protection force. Tuju noted that a current point of
contention in dialogue between the UIC and TFG is the
existence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia. Tuju argued that
the TFG could use the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops as a
starting point for dialogue with the ICU. He added that the
removal of foreign troops from Somalia would be sufficient
incentive for the ICU to begin talks.


4. (C) Charge welcomed IGAD's initiative to move the
situation in Somalia forward, but questioned the Foreign
Minister on troop composition for the mission to Somalia.
The Charge added that while dialogue is to be encouraged,
negotiating with the ICU which includes terrorist elements
poses problems. Some consensus by the Somalia population
would also be necessary prior to any IGASOM engagement. Tuju
said he knew many Western governments had serious
reservations about Sudan deploying troops in Somalia and
added that IGAD was likely to have more troop options, once
the AU approves the mission. Tuju said he understood the
complexities of dealing with the loose and heterogeneous ICU
and that the international community needs to assist in
defining the parameters of engagement. Asked about the Arab
League's mediation effort in Khartoum, Foreign Minister Tuju
said that the TFG had reservations about the Khartoum talks
because ICU fundamentalists have "direct links" to
fundamentalists within the Sudanese government which would
"contaminate" the dialogue.


5. (C) Asked about differing views among IGAD member states,
Tuju said that the one discordant voice is Eritrea. Djibouti
is "sort of in the middle" and has participated fully in
deliberations on IGASOM. An IGAD heads of state summit is
scheduled for September 5 in Nairobi.


6. (C) Charge subsequently talked to the TFG Foreign Minister
who was also in Addis Ababa for the AU PSC on Somalia. He
said that the TFG is ready for dialogue but that the ICU is
"dragging its feet" in order to have time to change reality
on the ground.


7. (C) Foreign Minister Tuju presented IGASOM intervention as
the only choice to change the current dynamic in Somalia.
The AU PSC, however, is awaiting additional IGAD
consultations (Defense Chiefs of Staff, Heads of State)
before endorsing the plan and requesting UN lifting of the
arms embargo. According the Tuju, if Ethiopia remains in
Somalia, the ICU will be the new government of Somalia.

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