AMBASSADOR CINDY L. COURVILLE'S MEETING WITH AU

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000023 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDING PROGRAM TAG SIPDIS USEUCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2017 TAGS: PREL AU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CINDY L. COURVILLE'S MEETING WITH AU PEACE AND SECURITY COMMISSIONER Classified By: Ambassador Cindy L. Courville, Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On January 1, Ambassador Courville met with Peace and Security Commissioner Djinnit (PSC). He acknowledged that events on the ground in Somalia have overtaken the African Union (AU) strategy outlined in the AU communique issued on 27 December. Djinnit is chairing the AU troika on Somalia. He articulated his vision for the deployment of AU peacekeeping mission into Somalia based on the Burundi model. ¶2. (C) Somali Stakeholder Dialogue Djinnit stressed the need for dialogue to take place among the various Somali factions. He stated the AU troika comprised of: the AU, the Arab League and IGAD. The proposed scheduled meeting in Khartoum was no longer necessary. The Arab League influence has been reduced as a result of Ethiopia,s military success in driving out the Islamic Courts out of Mogadishu. Djinnit emphasized that Kenya was engaged with both the TFG and UIC and that this was an opportunity for Kenya as head of IGAD to help shape the political situation on the ground. He wants to implement the relevant element of the AU communique and convene a PSC meeting on Somalia within the next 10 days. ¶3. (C) AU Peacekeeping Mission to Somalia Burundi Model Djinnit vision for the AU mission is based on the Burundi Model. He also indicated that the planning for this model is already outlined in IGASOM Deployment Plan and that UN Resolution 1725 set up the mechanism for the transition from an AU mission to a UN mission. Djinnit believes that a phased withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from Somalia is critical if order and stability is to be established. ¶4. (C) Djinnit identified possible Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs): Uganda 1-2 battalion Nigeria 1 battalion Mauritania 500 troops Gambia 500 troops South Africa numbers unspecified but would provide security and police training He believes that Kenya,s role would be largely focused on facilitating the Somalia dialogue, support the TFG consolidation of power and reconciliation among the Somali stakeholders. ¶5. (C) Djinnit wants to implement the relevant element of the AU communique and convene a PSC meeting within the next 10 days. He also wants to host as soon as possible a meeting with the Ministers of Defense of the potential TCCs to discussion both IGASOM Deployment Plan and UN Resolution ¶1725. COMMENT: A PSC meeting is critical in order to secure political buy-in by potential TCCs. Djinnit is concerned that some member states are reluctant to commit to Somalia because of the current status of the AMIS force in Darfur. Djinnit also expressed disappointment with the European Union reluctance to support the immediate deployment of an AU mission to Somalia. It is important to note that Djinnit supports a phased withdrawal of Ethiopian forces that corresponds with the immediate deployment of an AU peacekeeping mission. Ambassador Courville WILGUS