SOMALIA: STATE MINISTER TEKEDA REITERATES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001941 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/E LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS KPKO SO ET SUBJECT: SOMALIA: STATE MINISTER TEKEDA REITERATES ETHIOPIAN SUPPORT FOR SOMALI RECONCILIATION PROCESS REF: ADDIS ABABA 1531 (AND PREVIOUS) Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY. In a June 19 meeting with Ambassador, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tekeda Alemu underscored the need for Somalia's Hawiye clan to reconcile internal differences among its own sub-clans as well as to engage politically with other prominent clans. Tekeda cited security concerns as a reason for the recent decision of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to delay the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) until July. While expressing concerns about National Governance and Reconciliation Committee chairman Ali Mahdi Mohamed's close ties to Egypt, Tekeda reaffirmed Ethiopia's commitment to support ali Mahdi and the NRC process, viewing them as important for having the clans and sub-clans achieve reconciliation and national dialogue. According to Tekeda, TFG President Abdullahi Yusuf was not deliberately seeking to hamper reconciliation, but faced numerous political challenges, even from his own Darood clan. Tekeda asserted that Ethiopia had played an important role in preventing full-scale war between Somaliland and Puntland, and urged that the USG and others engage Somaliland in a "serious" dialogue. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S/NF) Ambassador met privately on June 19 with Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tekeda Alemu to discuss on Somalia and Somaliland issues. Tekeda cautioned the U.S. and others not to see Somalia's Hawiye clan as a monolithic and cohesive group, but rather as an entity comprised of very distinct sub-groups. Tekeda also cautioned Ambassador not to regard the Hawiye/Habr-Gedir/Ayr as the main Hawiye group, because there was serious opposition to the Ayr by other Hawiye sub-clans, albeit much smaller groups. Tekeda echoed the familiar Ethiopian position, defined by Prime Minister Meles and Foreign Minister Seyoum, on the ultimate necessity of having the Hawiye, as well as other clans, reconcile differences not only internally among the sub-clans but also with other clans. The approach to influence and enhance reconciliation was difficult, Tekeda added. ¶3. (S/NF) Tekeda noted that security was a deep concern of the Ethiopian forces and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) units that would provide force protection for Somalia's National Reconciliation Congress (NRC). Security was a reason for delaying the NRC until July. While the Ethiopians had questions about the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee chairman Ali Mahdi Mohamed, because of his close ties to Egypt, Tekeda underscored Ethiopia's commitment to support ali Mahdi and the NRC process, viewing them as important for having the clans and sub-clans achieve reconciliation and national dialogue. Tekeda stated that while severe challenges remained, the Ethiopians were relatively more optimistic that elements who had opposed the TFG and the NRC were changing, and that the NRC could help shape and direct stability in Somalia. ¶4. (S/NF) Tekeda hypothesized that the NRC could replace Prime Minister Ghedi, but noted that a replacement could not be another Darood (i.e., from TFG President Yusuf's clan). The next prime minister could very well be a Hawiye like Ghedi, but the Hawiye clans would need to resolve their internal problems to make this a reality. The Ambassador pressed Tekeda on whether President Yusuf was dividing the Hawiye clan or meeting only with certain elements of the Hawiye. Tekeda responded that Yusuf was not a barrier to reconciliation and had many challenges to face. Tekeda highlighted the conflict in Kismayo among Darood sub-clans as an example that Yusuf could not even control his own clan members. -------------- SOMALILAND -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Tekeda remarked that Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin would be in Addis again shortly, and that Ethiopia had played an important role in preventing full-scale war between Somaliland and Puntland. Tekeda added ADDIS ABAB 00001941 002 OF 002 that as Somalia proper headed towards stability, the clans would look to dealing with the issue of Somaliland. Forcing Somaliland under duress to submit to a national Somalia state could be very dangerous and lead to potential conflict, Tekeda said. He reiterated caution in dealing with Somaliland, but at the same time urged the U.S. and others to engage and have a "serious" dialogue with Somaliland. The Ambassador noted that further detailed discussion with the Ethiopians on this issue would be necessary, during the next visit of Special Envoy Ambassador Yates. ¶6. (S/NF) COMMENT. While the Ethiopians are not great fans of the Ayr sub-clan, they certainly view inter- and intra-clan dialogue as critical to their ability to promote stability in Somalia, as this would enable Ethiopian forces to leave Somalia. In a separate meeting earlier this week, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Samora Yonus stressed the high cost of military operations in Somalia and complained about the lack of financial support for, or at least recognition of, Ethiopia's efforts in Somalia in neutralizing extremist elements. END COMMENT. YAMAMOTO