Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI1697
2006-04-19 16:40:00
SECRET
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

TENSIONS ESCALATING IN MOGADISHU

Tags:  PGOV PTER EAID PREL MOPS ASEC KPAO SO KE 
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S E C R E T NAIROBI 001697 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, EUR, NEA
STATE PASS AID
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2026
TAGS: PGOV PTER EAID PREL MOPS ASEC KPAO SO KE
SUBJECT: TENSIONS ESCALATING IN MOGADISHU

CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR WILLIAM M. BELLAMY, REASONS 1.4
(B,C,D)

S E C R E T NAIROBI 001697

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, EUR, NEA
STATE PASS AID
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2026
TAGS: PGOV PTER EAID PREL MOPS ASEC KPAO SO KE
SUBJECT: TENSIONS ESCALATING IN MOGADISHU

CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR WILLIAM M. BELLAMY, REASONS 1.4
(B,C,D)


1. (S) Somali Prime Minister Gedi telephoned Ambassador
late April 19 to convey great concern over apparent
preparations for renewed fighting in Mogadishu. There are
reports, he said, of roadblocks going up and movements of
men and weapons. Civilians are fleeing. (NOTE: We are
receiving confirmation of these developments from other
channels. END NOTE).


2. (S) Gedi had just emerged from what he described as a
stormy five-hour cabinet meeting in Baidoa in which
numerous participants wanted to blame and publicly condemn
the U.S. for renewed tension in Mogadishu. Gedi said he
pushed back against this pressure, but only with great
difficulty. The cabinet finally decided to issue a public
appeal to the parties in Mogadishu to exercise restraint
and to draft a letter to the UN and other international
bodies requesting assistance in bringing peace to the
capital. The letter might also request that the UN send an
"assessment team" to Mogadishu to investigate the reasons
for continuing tension and conflict.


3. (S) I told Gedi that we had only limited influence with
some of the parties in Mogadishu, but that we would use it
to counsel maximum restraint. He was extremely grateful for
this. I asked that he convey to his cabinet colleagues the
clear message that the United States was opposed any
outbreak of renewed fighting in Mogadishu. He agreed to do
so.


4. (S) I told Gedi that we were concerned that a new round
of fighting might be sparked by the Islamic extremists, in
which case the alliance leaders in Mogadishu with whom the
USG maintains relationships would have no choice but to
fight back. Gedi said that, if that happened, cabinet would
blame the Islamic extremists.


5. (S) COMMENT: The danger appears real. We do not know at
this point which side might seek to precipitate another
round of fighting. Our influence with the alliance in this
matter is limited, but we will attempt to contact them to
urge that they not initiate combat. (NOTE: We conveyed the
same message two weeks ago. END NOTE). To ensure that the
USG is clearly on the record as being opposed to any
outbreak of renewed violence in Mogadishu, Embassy issued
the following public statement immediately following our
contact with Prime Minister Gedi. The Department may wish
to issue a similar appeal. END COMMENT.

Begin statement:

In response to reports of increasing tension in Mogadishu,
the United States calls upon all Somalis to work together
to encourage restraint and calm in the city. Provocations
and fresh outbreaks of violence in Mogadishu can serve only
the interests of extremist elements. The United States
urges all parties to seek reconciliation through dialogue
and cooperation with the Transitional Federal Institutions.

End statement.

Bellamy