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