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