REVIEW OF OUTCOME OF FRENCH RECAMP V TRAINING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000694 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2012 TAGS: PREL MOPS AU SUBJECT: REVIEW OF OUTCOME OF FRENCH RECAMP V TRAINING CYCLE WHICH CULMINATED IN EXERCISE SAWA 2006 IN DOUALA CAMEROON FEBRUARY 21-22, 2007 Classified By: AMBASSADOR CINDY COURVILLE, REASON 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Participants: USAU staff joined African and partner countries (what countries) there was no US participant at this meeting, with the exception of USAU observers. ¶2. (U) Background: The purpose of the February 21-22 meeting was for the participants to: (1) review outcomes of French RECAMP V training cycle which culminated in exercise SAWA 2006 in Douala Cameroon; (2) to develop suggestions for the next RECAMP cycle,; and the France while still playing a major role to hand off leadership to the EU. However, it is important to note that the EU decision to assume leadership of RECAMP is still being considered and has yet to be finalized in Brussels. ¶3. (U) One of the most consistent themes was the need for early clarity on doctrine and concept of the exercise, with training of greater duration, involving more staff. A second theme was the need for consistency in the participants ) those who started the workshop and training cycle should remain through the end, in order to avoid the need for last moment just-in-time catch up training. ¶4. (U) The Central African Economic Community (ECCAS is the French acronym),which was the focus of the 2006 RECAMP cycle offered the following suggestions. -- Cameroon, the host nation for the exercise noted that better telephone and internet links were needed between participants; determining which common languages should be used is necessary. -- Angola echoed frustration with the working language (French) and limiting second language to English, since both Spanish and Portuguese are also official languages of ECCAS. -- Burundi (which together with non-attendee Rwanda had participation sponsored by the Netherlands) noted that some participants were not qualified for their political)military roles, suggesting better information on the exercise and more coordination and training. -- Republic of Congo noted the limited language capabilities in the exercise, called for better dissemination of the norms and standards to be followed in the exercise and better approach to participation of police/gendarmerie, also for a greater consideration of the civil and humanitarian actors in the exercise. -- DR Congo echoed others comments on needing mapping and geo-software as well as other computer training, and regretted its police units were on duty for elections so did not participate. -- Gabon said some officers sent to plan and shape the exercise lack the mandate to make decisions and had to request guidance from their capital. In addition some seminars were too long and that some of the instructors lacked a good background in Central Africa, saying more officers should be involved and the budget increased, and that the role of international media should be explored. -- Equatorial Guinea also called for more advisors and training and better internet use. -- CAR noted its experience in receiving stability operations, noting it now suffers form spillover of the Darfur crisis, but was glad to be able to send participants. -- Sao Tome also noted its experience with coups and help from neighboring states to stabilize the situation, while raising the question of language, as it is neither francophone nor Anglophone. ¶5. (U) Most non-African partner nations were able to share the experiences of exercise: -- Germany noted as current EU Presidency, it would like to start discussions for the future of RECAMP among Africans and the AU, highlighted civil-military aspect to the exercise, including medical care of the host country population. -- Argentina regretted suggestions on logistics; weapons and personnel issues raised during the exercise weren,t followed up, and echoed the need to highlight civil-military ADDIS ABAB 00000694 002 OF 002 cooperation. -- Austria said the lack of a warm up phase, with some tasks being handed out even on the two days planned for preparation, was not right, while joining in praise of civil-military operations and saying more integration civilian relief into the exercise was needed. -- Spain admitted the language difficulty and asked that same participants continue throughout the cycle. -- Netherlands said gender aspects need to be integrated into the field exercise, that air and sea units should be integrated into the next cycle, and that too many levels (tactical, operational and strategic were training at the same time instead of in stages to develop the next higher levels. -- UK endorsed a warm up phase before the exercise so that mentors and participants could better understand the scenario. Doctrine, planning tools and battle rhythms to be played out. Participants should start preparing at the design stage, not as they arrive at the exercise site. -- U.S. -- there was no US participant at this meeting, with the exception of USAU observers. As a result there was no briefing from any US participant who was actually at the exercise or the training pipeline. ¶6. (U) Other partners making remarks included Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Sweden, and the EU. UNHCR, UNDPKO and ICRC were also invited to give comments ) each focusing on their issues ) refugees and Internally Displaced persons (IDPs),building AU capacity in logistics finance and communications, or need to integrate concepts on international humanitarian law. ¶7. (C)Comments: US Mission to the AU recommends that DOD provide: (1) at least one or two US participants attend such a post-exercise meeting; (2) greater coordination in next cycle; and (3) participants provide input for after-exercise lessons-learned. USAU notes that the integration of US support to African Capacity building via RECAMP would be a plus both for our ACOTA program and efforts to develop the AU,s peace and security capacity. It is important to note that RECAMP is designed to train prospective members of the AU,s African Stand by Forces brigades in UN concepts of operations, and bring regional forces together in intensive simulations. Venue and dates for next RECAMP cycle, budget and contributions for this cycle are not yet available. COURVILLE YAMAMOTO