SOMALIA: KENYAN FM TALKS ABOUT IGAD PLANS FOR

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. ADDIS ABAB 00002396 002 OF 002 WILGUS