USAU SUPPORT FOR AMISON DEPLOYMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000263

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2012
TAGS: PREL MOPS AU
SUBJECT: USAU SUPPORT FOR AMISON DEPLOYMENT


Classified By: AMBASSADOR CINDY L. COURVILLE, REASONS: 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Background: The US Mission to the AU is in constant
contact with: Peace and Security Commissioner Djinnit and
the Director of Peace Support Operations Bereng Mtimkulu.
As a result of six weeks of quiet diplomacy to AU planners, a
dialogue and relationship has been established.

(C) It is USAU,s proposal that we leverage and improve that
relationship. We must build capacity and institutionalize
lessons learned from this Somalia experience while at the
same time getting the forces into Somalia.


2. (C) Lessons Learned:
Note current and historical sensitivity to U.S. in your face
approach
Stress the need to understand and accommodate
Lessons learned from Darfur process in which US planners were
sent to help and can-do approach and conduct were perceived
as &big brother8 and turned a potential partnership
into a no show.


3. (C) AU Concerns:
AU has the AMISOM mission
Great sensitivity in being perceived as a &puppet8 to the US
Ethiopia is currently fighting that perception in Somalia
AU desires is planning and executing that mission
US footprint in the AU must be low-key partner
Continued U.S. air strikes on Somalia are eroding potential
TCCs willingness to support the mission


4. (C) Djinnit Way Forward:
AU Partners confirm by January 29, 2007 their pledges to
provide technical, financial
and logistical support for AMISOM
Troop Contributing Countries and AU Partners will meet to
review and agree upon a
&coordinated and predictable package of support8
Deployment of 2 Ugandan battalions and 1 Nigerian battalion
Uganda provide the force commander for the mission
Request for Algerian airlift of Ugandan forces or U.S.
airlift of Ugandan forces
Financial Support from African countries who cannot provide
troops
TCCs must provide planners to support the mission


5. (C) Imminent deployment of the Ugandan battalion to
AMISOM:
The US logistics team is currently in Uganda is assisting and
coordinating with the Ugandan army leadership.
The US team expressed concern that the Ugandan,s are ¬
asking the right questions8
and that there exist considerable potential for delays and
confusion on the ground in Somalia.
It was proposed at this conference call to &reach back8 and
get U.S. planner expertise
to supplement and help the AU and by extension the Ugandans.


6. (C) USG Recommended Next Steps:
Propose an arms length mentoring and coaching strategy so the
AU can save face
Issue Note Verbale indicating support for AMISON
Locate with U.S. planner resources in Addis, Abuja and
Kampala
Planners will coordinate and provide &shadow planning8 team
to the AU
The team would liaise with the AU planning cell through the
USAU
Work quietly with the head of the AU planners, who has no
planning or military
experience and no military staff
Support AU planners through USAU Military Liaisons and in
country US shadow planning
team
Assist the AU planners on the right types of questions to
ask, how to schedule
logistics, and establish required planning cell etc.
Encourage AU to request that TCCs send planners to Addis
immediately

Below are 2 notes verbale on AMISON deployment:



YAMAMOTO