ETHIOPIA-SOMALILAND: UK APPROACH - SUPPORT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002859

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/E, AND S/CT
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
CJTF-HOA AND USSCENTCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER SO ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA-SOMALILAND: UK APPROACH - SUPPORT
DEVELOPMENT


Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

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Summary
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1. (S/NF) Four British Labor Party MPs visited Somaliland the
week of September 3. The group is considering advocating for
the international community to consider some type of special
treatment or &semi-recognition8 of Somaliland and a greater
focus of assistance on port development, livestock market,
and infrastructure support. The MPs are also advocating
registration of voters prior to any election and seeking ways
to promote security for Somaliland against extremist
elements. The MPs also want to discourage Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) efforts to take over Somaliland as
well as repair damaged relations between Djibouti and
Somaliland. A proposed visit of the Somaliland President to
the U.S. would serve as an opportunity to support UK efforts
on security and development. End Summary.

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Special Treatment
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2. (S/NF) Ambassador met privately with British Ambassador
Dewar and four Labor Members of Parliament, Alun Michael,
Kerry McCarthy, Clive Betts, and Mark Hendrick on September
3, prior to their visit to Somaliland, and again with the
British Ambassador on September 18 for a readout of the
visit. The MPs expressed their desire for the international
community to consider some type of &special treatment8 or
&semi-recognition8 for Somaliland along the lines that
Prime Minister Meles has suggested in meetings with senior
foreign visitors. The MPs also urged greater U.S. engagement
and support for Somaliland, specifically visits by USG
officials and support for expanded assistance. The MPs
expressed their views that Somaliland is moving in the right
direction but remains very fragile. To avoid being a victim
of extremism and to support development, a special treatment
arrangement would help stabilize and promote Somaliland,s
development.


3. (S/NF) The British Ambassador suggested later that the
international community should also discourage the
Transitional Federal Government from any effort to take over
Somaliland. Clear focus by the TFG in resolving their
problems and allowing Somaliland to continue economic
development will help enhance regional stability. Special
treatment for Somaliland by the international community may
help promote this course.

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Development
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4. (S/NF) The MPs suggested that port development;
infrastructure projects, especially road construction;
capacity building; and budgetary assistance will help
Somaliland stabilize. Livestock market development can also
help expand productivity and promote trade from Somalia to
the Middle East of livestock trade. They cautioned that the
U.S. should not focus solely on security, though Somaliland
potentially is a target of extremist elements from Somalia
and the Middle East. The MPs made it clear that U.S.
assistance as well as influence with the World Bank would
help Somaliland.

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Democracy
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5. (S/NF) Ambassador Dewar briefed the Ambassador after the
visit to Somaliland by the MPs. Dewar noted that during
discussions with President Dahir Kahin Riyale, the MPs
stressed that before local and national elections could take
place, voter registration must be firmly implemented. Kahin
hinted that local elections could take place NOW with voter
registration later before national elections. The MPs stated

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that this would undercut the democratic process. The
national electoral board also needs support and assistance
and the MPs advocated for assistance for the board. Another
issue raised was the arrest of opposition members from the
fourth largest party. The MPs pressed for their release.

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Security
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6. (S/NF) According to Dewar, the MPs were impressed by the
fragility of Somaliland and the need to enhance its security
in the face of extremist elements from Somalia and the Middle
East. With high unemployment and the increase in Wahabists
and extremist elements, security is a severe challenge for
Somaliland. Dewar noted the strained relations between
President Kahin and his security chief, Hassan Duale. Better
relations with Djibouti would also help security. Until
recently, Djibouti and Somaliland had exchanged intelligence
officers, but relations became strained and the special
security relationship was ended. It is not clear of the
causes, but improving relations would be an important step in
enhancing security for Somaliland and the immediate region,
Dewar noted.

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Possible Visit to the U.S. by President Kahin
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7. (S/NF) The MPs discussed with the Ambassador a possible
visit to the U.S. of Somaliland President Kahin. This would
help re-engage the U.S. in Somaliland and provide important
international support for Somaliland. In this context, the
UK MPs suggested that the U.S. could do some of the following:

-Visit to Somaliland by USAID officials to look at
development projects,
-Look at establishing possible livestock market centers in
Somaliland,
-Regular visits to Somaliland by USG officials,
-Support improved relations between Somaliland and Djibouti,
-Work with the UK on possible infrastructure development
projects and capacity building efforts,
-Work with the World Bank on possible loans to Somaliland.
YAMAMOTO