USAU: AFRICOM COMMANDER WARD MEETING WITH AFRICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003355 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2012 TAGS: EAID PREL MARR MASS SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICOM COMMANDER WARD MEETING WITH AFRICAN UNION CHAIRPERSON KONARE Classified By: Ambassador Cindy L. Courville for reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. This cable is from U.S. Mission to the African Union (USAU) Ambassador Dr. Cindy L. Courville. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: AFRICOM Commander, General William Ward met with African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare on November 8. Their discussion focused on the status of standing up AFRICOM and the development of its ongoing role on the continent. Chairman Konare pledged personal support for General Ward,s efforts while simultaneously stressing the African Union as an institution has not yet formally formed an opinion on AFRICOM. END SUMMARY PARTICIPANTS: ¶3. (U) AU Chairperson Oumar Konare, AU Deputy Chairperson Patrick Mazimhaka, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Said Djinnit, AU Chief of Staff John Kayode Shinkaiye; USAU Ambassador Cindy Courville, Commander of AFRICOM General William Ward, COL Dyfierd Harris, CDR Mark Swayne, CDR Michael Czarnik, and Berouk Mesfin (USAU interpreter). ¶4. (C) AFRICOM Commander, General William Ward and the US Ambassador to the African Union, Dr. Cindy Courville met with African Union Commission Chairman Professor Alpha Oumar Konare and his key advisors on November 7 for a wide ranging discussion. General Ward told Konare that his first visit to Africa following his appointment as Commander of the newly organized African Command was, by intent, to the African Union. He emphasized the launch of AFRICOM demonstrates the US dedication to an ongoing partnership with African states. He stated he intends to work closely with African leaders toward common goals in Africa. AFRICOM,s establishment, by consolidating the work of three commands into one, provides an opportunity to more effectively deliver on military and security cooperation activities with our African partners. He noted the decision to stand up AFRICOM is one that is overdue, and that with its establishment it will be possible to enhance DOD,s role in Africa through a single unified command working full-time with our African partners to address African security needs. ¶5. (C) Ward highlighted his command is &under construction8 and is a reorganization of previous/ongoing efforts on the African continent. It does not mean the US is changing its security posture or policy. It is simply recognizing the integral role the African continent plays in global security. Ward indicated that over the next year AFRICOM will become the single point of contact for DOD security assistance, and that AFRICOM will, for its part, tap the resources of various US military entities to respond to the needs and requests of African states. AFRICOM will continue programs already in operation, including in fields of medical, veterinary, humanitarian assistance and military training. One stop administration of these initiatives should enhance their effectiveness. General Ward noted that in 2002 the US supported Ethiopia,s training and deployment to Burundi, and that now, in 2007, Burundi is preparing to deploy peacekeeping forces to Somalia. He cited this as an illustration of the long-term continuum and effect training initiatives can have in bringing stability to the continent. This is the type of initiatives the US seeks to support. ¶6. (C) Chairman Konare stated he is personally pleased with the US decision to establish AFRICOM, but stressed the AU does not/not have an agreed institutional opinion. In elaborating, Konare commented his pleasure about AFRICOM and that &now Europe will not steer the course of Africa.8 He also insisted African states have matured, but remain in dire need of US assistance. In this context, he cited the positive impression made by establishing the US Mission to the African Union and in accrediting the first AU Ambassador to Washington. That being said, Konare cautioned Ward that perceptions are important, and that there are those who believe AFRICOM and the US interests in Africa are based on oil in the Gulf of Guinea and competition with the Chinese for Africa,s resources, either of which undermine US policy. Konare was very pleased that General Ward took the time to personally come to the HQ headquarters to explain his vision for AFRICOM. Konare noted that not coming to the AU could have been viewed negatively within the AU. Konare also raised a wide range of issues that include the rising importance of Muslim populations and Islamic doctrine, poverty, regional economic developments, and drugs, human trafficking, and atomic energy. ADDIS ABAB 00003355 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) With reference to the establishment of AFRICOM headquarters, Konare stated that the US will be better served if the headquarters are located in Africa. However, several important African states (South Africa, Egypt, and Libya) are adamantly opposed. Perhaps even more important, some of those who are vying for the headquarters &just want the money.8 Within that dynamic, ECOWAS will support Liberia,s bid. Choosing a headquarters with only Liberia could viewed by some African nations as colonialism. The bottom line, according to Konare, is AFRICOM cannot afford to pursue any course that undermines African unity. He cautioned Ward to remain cognizant of the competing political agendas of African states. Ward assured Konare that no decision about the location of AFRICOM headquarters or a timetable for its establishment has been made. AFRICOM is undergoing a very deliberate process that includes consultations within the US government and with our African partners. ¶8. (C) Konare expects that the AU to make several major decisions regarding ongoing operations before the end of January 2008. The likely outcome is a structure that unites Africa based on a mixing of EU, UN, and US models. He noted that the AU has defined a common defense policy, but faces challenges in its implementation. He also commented that the African Standby Force (ASF) needs to be united, but the varying levels of readiness and definitions of national interests makes this difficult. He stated that US assistance will be needed to fully establish the ASF. ¶9. (C) Konare made specific reference to his concerns about the growing influence of Islam in Africa, noting that seventeen percent of the total current Muslim population in the continent is of Middle Eastern origin. He opined that &what is happening in the UK could happen in Africa8 if Africans do not manage it. He observed that in such movements as Hezbollah and Al Quaida Africans observe Muslims fighting Muslims. ¶10. (C) Chairman Konare,s Assessment on AFRICOM: -- Personally pleased with the US decision to establish AFRICOM. -- US will be better served if the headquarters are located in Africa. -- Choosing Liberia as headquarters will be viewed by some African nations as colonialism. -- AU does not have an agreed institutional opinion regarding AFRICOM -- Expressed concerns about the growing influence of Islam in Africa YAMAMOTO