GUINEA-BISSAU: SECURITY SECTOR REFORM WILL TOP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 002517

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/RSA, AF/EPS, S/P AND AF/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR POL - D'ELIA
LONDON FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: MARR EAID PINS PREL PU UK
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: SECURITY SECTOR REFORM WILL TOP
AGENDA AT ROUND TABLE


Classified By: Charge Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------

1. (C) Guinea-Bissau is hoping to raise over USD 350 million
at the donor,s round table in November for a sweeping
security sector reform and poverty reduction program.
Indications from potential donors are that pledges will fall
far short. The United Kingdom has provided technical experts
to assist a committee of Government and civil society
representatives in drafting a security sector reform plan.
The British expert found a good conceptual plan that lacks
details, a fractured political system and some tense
relationships among key players. The United States should
continue to support capacity building in the National
Assembly. END SUMMARY.

BRITS RE-START PROCESS
--------------

2. (C) The United Kingdom has provided security sector
reform technical experts to the GOGB to help it define
concepts and organize itself for the development of a
complete plan to be presented at the Geneva donor,s
conference, November 7-8. The technical committee drafting
the paper and the ministerial oversight committee are
comprised of only Bissau-Guineans. A committee of diplomats
and international organizations in Bissau provides input.
The lead expert from the UK,s Security Sector Development
Advisory Team, Chris Goostrey, returned for a third visit to
Bissau, Sept. 25-Oct. 6, to help the committee get back on
track after approximately six months of no work due to a
salary dispute.


3. (C) When he arrived, Goostrey found a document fully
geared toward the armed forces with little thought given to
the details of implementation. He worked to include
stakeholders from the Justice and Interior Ministries for a
more inclusive approach to security sector reform. He noted
significant opposition from Defense Minister Helder Proenca
to the re-orientation and also noted general mistrust between
Prime Minister Aristides Gomes and perhaps the most important
individual in the process, Armed Forces Chief Major General
Batista Tagme Na Waie.


4. (C) Goostrey notes that armed forces are still organized
like a guerrilla organization ill-suited to security
realities, but General Tagme recognizes that reform is
needed. Some changes have already happened, including a new
policy of conscription and the replacement of two staff
chiefs. The new Army Chief of Staff is Col. Mamadu Ture and
the new Air Force Chief is Brigadier General Antonio Gomes.


5. (C) Goostrey noted that political parties and civil
society are still disorganized and weak in contributing to
the security sector reform agenda and in general. The
backwardness of political parties is reflected in the
National Popular Assembly (ANP),which is routinely ignored
and treated with contempt by the military and Government
alike.

COMMENT
--------------

6. (C) Most observers believe Tagme is sincere in his desire
for security sector reform, but in fact, he missed the chance
to show his resolve to prospective donors at a GOGB-sponsored
pre-donor,s conference meeting in Bissau Oct. 5. A host of
key Ministers were present including the Prime Minister and
Ministers of Economy, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, but not
Tagme or any of his staff. A significant number of
potential, no-presence donors, including Canada, India and
Turkey attended the meeting as did we.


7. (C) Goostrey,s findings on the poor state of political
parties and the ANP are consistent with post,s previous
reporting. For the parties, politics is a zero-sum power
game with little real dialogue and almost no concept of basic
democratic concepts such as consulting with constituents,
developing legislative initiatives, and overseeing Government
expenditures. Embassy again urges that the Department
support the National Democratic Institute,s capacity

DAKAR 00002517 002 OF 002


building program with the ANP which will end in December if
we are not able to assure additional funding by October 31.
END COMMENT.
JACKSON