SOMALIA: ARAB LEAGUE TO HOLD MINISTERIAL MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003849 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER ARABL EG SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: ARAB LEAGUE TO HOLD MINISTERIAL MEETING JUNE 21-22 IN KHARTOUM; SENIOR SOMALI POLITICAL FIGURES EXPECTED TO ATTEND REF: CAIRO 3819 Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Arab League will hold a ministerial meeting in Khartoum, Sudan June 21-22, to discuss political and security developments in Somalia, according to senior Arab League contacts. League Secretariat staffer Talal Elameen (protect) told Poloff that the meeting of the League's 11-member Somalia Follow-up Group will be hosted by Sudan as the League's current Summit president, and will be attended by Somali President Yousef, the Chair of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC),and other senior Somali political figures. Elameen opened the conversation by stating "we are dealing with this situation in our own way: we can't just sit around and watch what is happening in Somalia." ¶2. (C) Elameen said that the Arab League committee was comprised of Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Also participating would be AL Secretary General Amre Moussa. The meetings would begin with an evening meeting in Khartoum June 21, with additional meetings and consultations June 22. Asked about non-Arab League participation, Elameen said it was an "Arab League-only" gathering. Poloff stressed the importance of coordinating international political efforts vis-a-vis Somalia. We would expect the League to coordinate and consult with the U.S. and other key players interested in Somalia issues. Elameen, who will travel in the afternoon to Khartoum with Moussa and Arab League African Affairs Office Director Samir Hosni, committed to providing the Embassy with a full readout upon conclusion of the Khartoum meeting. ¶3. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. RICCIARDONE