Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA918
2006-04-06 12:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

SOMALIA: AMBASSADOR TO ETHIOPIA AND THE AU GIVES

Tags:  PREL SO ET AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4387
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #0918 0961231
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 061231Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9868
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000918 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, S/CT
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL SO ET AU
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: AMBASSADOR TO ETHIOPIA AND THE AU GIVES
VIEWS

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES VICKI HUDDLESTON. REASON:
1.4 (B) AND (D)


C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000918

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, S/CT
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL SO ET AU
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: AMBASSADOR TO ETHIOPIA AND THE AU GIVES
VIEWS

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES VICKI HUDDLESTON. REASON:
1.4 (B) AND (D)



1. (C) Summary: Success in restoring governance in Somalia
requires isolation of Mogadishu armed elements, Somalia's
Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union (AU) Abdulkarim
Farai told guests at an informal AU Partners Group dinner
April 3. Farai also said that Somalia has signed agreements
with several governments in the region recognizing the unity
of Somalia. Somalia PM Ghedi was also in Addis for the
inauguration of Somalia's embassy after 15 years of closure.
End summary.

--------------
ISOLATE MOGADISHU TO GIVE TFI'S A CHANCE
--------------


2. (C) Amb. Farai said that the transitional federal
parliament in Baidoa is working on legislation to empower the
transitional federal institutions (TFIs),but a process to
isolate the "four trouble makers" in Mogadishu needs to
proceed in parallel. Farai noted that the presence of these
individuals undermines Somali confidence in the TFIs. The
fact that Mogadishu warlords possess sophisticated weaponry
shows that the UN arms embargo has failed, Farai stated.
(Note: It is unclear to what extent Farai's views match that
of President Yusuf or PM Ghedi. End note).


3. (C) Farai said that isolating Mogadishu by sealing roads
leading to the city will help deprive negative elements of
support. He reported that the Chinese in particular have a
lucrative trading route into Mogadishu, and that China is
also planning a railway to link Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.
While expressing conviction that some type of IGAD-led
mission is necessary, he said that training and equipping
6,000 demobilized militia would be preferable to sending in a
large outside force. According to Farai, who said he is from
the Hawiye clan, Mogadishu is the only problem and the
climate in Somalia is otherwise favorable to restoration of
governance. Farai noted that the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) is working with IGAD and the AU to develop a
security and stabilization plan in response to UNSC request,
and that the document would soon be completed.


4. (C) Farai said that Mogadishu armed elements prosper from
chaos and would prefer to put an end to the TFG, which is why
President Yusuf cannot yet move back to Mogadishu. Farai
brushed aside an Egyptian guest's suggestion that current
fighting in Mogadishu is USG-instigated. He simply said that
the U.S. has a valid interest in tracking terrorist activity
in Somalia.

--------------
KEEPING SOMALIA UNITED
--------------


5. (C) On Somaliland independence, Farai said that Somalia
has signed agreements with Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen, and
Djibouti affirming these countries' commitment to a united
Somalia. (Note: Views at the AU Commission on Somaliland's
request for AU membership are divergent. Deputy Chairperson
Mazimhaka and Somalia Desk Officer Kambduzi refer to a legal
process potentially involving an AU member state's
sponsorship of the Somaliland case for consideration at an AU
Summit, while Peace and Security Commissioner Djinnit states
that Somaliland will not get AU support for independence
because the AU does not want to set off a chain reaction of
independence claims across the continent. End note).

--------------
SOMALIA OPENS EMBASSY TO ETHIOPIA AND THE AU
--------------


6. (C) While Amb. Farai has been in Addis to represent
Somalia at the AU for some time, Somali PM Ghedi traveled to
Addis to officially inaugurate Somalia's embassy to Ethiopia
and the AU April 4, ending its 15-year closure. According to
press reports of the event, Ethiopian FM Seyoum said that
Ethiopia plans to open an embassy in Jowhar, Somalia.


7. (C) Bio note: According to the Norwegian host of the AU
Partners Group dinner, Farai spent 22 years in London as a
businessman prior to his assignment in Ethiopia.


HUDDLESTON