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