USAU AMB COURVILLE MEETING W/UGANDAN AMB SSEMPALA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001062 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2012 TAGS: PREL MOPS AU SUBJECT: USAU AMB COURVILLE MEETING W/UGANDAN AMB SSEMPALA AND BG RUSOKE Classified By: AMBASSADOR CINDY L. COURVILLE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D ) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On March 27, 2007, USAU met with BG Rusoke, Joint Chief of Staff of the Ugandan Peoples Defense Force and Ambassador Ssempala to discuss issues and concerns regarding the deployment of Ugandan troops in Somalia at the Ugandan Embassy in Addis Ababa. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) Participants: a. AMB Courville ) USAU Ambassador b. AMB Ssempala ) Ugandan Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union c. BGEN Rusoke ) Joint Chief of Staff, Ugandan Peoples Defense Force d. COL Rainey ) USAU Senior Military Liaison Officer e. CAPT Couch ) USAU Military Liaison Officer ¶3. (C) BACKGROUND: (C) BG Rusoke expressed concern that the AU was not living up to the Memorandum of Understanding regarding reimbursement and allowances for the Ugandan troops. The Ugandans are concerned that despite the extremely successful deployment of Ugandan forces to Somalia and the success of the mission to date, the African Union (AU) does not appear to exercise adequate command and control and there is a lack of public awareness of the progress being made in Mogadishu. Rusoke also expressed thanks for the helicopter support provide by the Ethiopian National Defense Force ensuring the safe unloading of the RO/RO. The Ethiopians want them in safer sectors, while the ENDF takes on the north Mogadishu sector where the Hawiye clan is located and the site of the heaviest fighting. (C) BG Rusoke expressed great concern that there still is no definitive progress on the follow-on troop contributing countries to support the deployed Ugandan troops. Ugandans are concerned at the lack of response from AU member states and international partners. They have heard of emerging issues with the French support to Burundi and are concerned of the message that sends to potential TCC. (C) The function of the Head of Mission (HoM) needs greater definition and emphasis. The AU is simply not pulling their weight on AMISOM command and control, public diplomacy/ information, and public leadership. The AU Force Commander (FC) has to perform both HoM and FC functions reducing his effectiveness. ¶4. (C) BG Rusoke stated that that there are 1626 soldiers on ground with the potential of another battalion deployment. However, he stated that this is not going to occur unless the initial reimbursement is made. Rusoke is very concerned of the effect on troop morale if they are not paid. To-date allowances for Ugandan troops pay and peacekeeping bonuses have not been funded by the AU. ¶5. (C) The Ugandans expressed an urgent need for objective 3rd party investigations on the causes of the two IL 76 mishaps in Mogadishu. The Ugandan CHOD has requested USG support in conducting this investigation. BG Rusoke indicated the immediate need for the evacuation of wounded and casualties. He expressed great concern that troop morale was being negatively impacted by the daily exposure to un-refrigerated and exposed bodies of the decease Russian and Belarus crew members and technicians. Again Rusoke requested the immediate assistance from the AU, US, Ethiopia or any international partner or agency. ¶6. (C) The UPDF has written a Note Verbale, in an effort to work out &modalities8 with AU office in Nairobi regarding the need to provide Level III Medical Support. Rusoke indicated the need for humanitarian efforts to be kept on track, but stressed that this would require a minimal level of security must be established. ¶7. (C) AMB Ssempala stated that UG and US are 100% partners in the Somalia mission, and that maritime security is very critical. She stressed that the US has the capacity to provide maritime security for AMISOM and seconded the Ugandan CHOD request to the US to do so soonest. ¶8. (C) Next Steps: - Expressed thanks for the helicopter support provide by the Ethiopian National Defense Force ensuring the safe unloading of the RO RO. ADDIS ABAB 00001062 002 OF 002 - Encourage Ethiopian National Defense Force to continue to provide military support to the Ugandans. - Provide GPOI funding to support the standing up of the AU strategic planning cell. - Stress the need for the UK and France to expedite their efforts to support the deployment of additional TCC. - Provide information regarding the possible cause of the 2 IL-76 mishaps to the Ugandans - Work with the Ugandans and Ethiopians to develop critical HUMINT to facilitate the successful launch of AMISOM - Provide direct military support to ENDF COURVILLE YAMAMOTO