Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUJUMBURA460
2007-06-15 11:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bujumbura
Cable title:  

AU ASSESSES BURUNDI'S CAPABILITIES FOR SOMALIA

Tags:  PREL MARR BY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 151132Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0383
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000460 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND AF/RSA,
ADDIS FOR AU MISSION

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2007
TAGS: PREL MARR BY
SUBJECT: AU ASSESSES BURUNDI'S CAPABILITIES FOR SOMALIA
DEPLOYMENT

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Ann Breiter for reasons 1.4(b)and(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000460

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND AF/RSA,
ADDIS FOR AU MISSION

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2007
TAGS: PREL MARR BY
SUBJECT: AU ASSESSES BURUNDI'S CAPABILITIES FOR SOMALIA
DEPLOYMENT

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Ann Breiter for reasons 1.4(b)and(d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: African Union (AU) military leaders visited
Burundi on June 10-13 to assess Burundi's readiness for
participation in the African Union Mission to Somalia
(AMISOM). AU Major General Benonbuta Biraaro and his team
inspected two battalions and met with Minister of Defense
Lieutenant General Germain Niyoyonkana to explain Burundi's
role in the AMISOM mission. Biraaro stressed in a private
conversation with Ambassador Moller that he understands the
Burundian military's wish to deploy a battalion sized force
in the very near term. Biraaro continued that Burundi's role
in Somalia will be to provide force protection to airports,
seaports, and various military installations in Mogadishu and
the surrounding area, opining that the Burundian military
does not yet possess sufficient expertise or equipment to
perform more complex missions in Somalia. The AU contingent
estimated that if additional training were to begin the week
of June 18, a Burundian battalion could be ready for
deployment by the end of July. However, deployment is
contingent upon obtaining finacial and material support for
the Burundian force. END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) AU Major General Benonbuta Biraaro led an eight
person contingent to Burundi June 10-13. The team, which
included representatives from the US, British, and French
armed forces, inspected two Burundian army battalions on June
12 to determine their capabilities in advance of their
proposed deployment as part of AMISOM. The group also met
with MOD leadership to determine its outlook on the mission
and explain the AU's vision for Burundi's role in Somalia.
General Biraaro noted in a meeting with Ambassador Moller
that the GOB is determined to deploy at least one battalion.
Biraaro acknowledged that there was strength in numbers and
that, given that the entire AMISOM mission would require
approximately 8,000 troops, he was reluctant to discourage
the GOB's intentions to send at least a battalion. (Note: A
battalion consists of 800-1000 soldiers. End Note) Biraaro
continued that a battalion sized force would also serve as a

strong signal of support for the Ugandan military units
already serving in Somalia as part of AMISOM.


3. (SBU) The AU has proposed that Burundi's forces will serve
as force protection units for military installations,
airports, and seaports to allow the Ugandan military already
serving in that capacity to engage in more complex missions.
This type of mission may not require an extensive buildup of
equipment, Biraaro suggested, noting that the more equipment
involved, the more training which would be required. This
training requirement could delay deployment. The AU's goal
is to deploy a ready-equipped, self-sustaining force, said
Biraaro. He stressed that an unsuccessful deployment could
be very damaging for Burundi.


4. (C) The AU team recognized that the Burundian military
currently lacks the equipment to carry out its mission in
Somalia. However, they noted that force protection units
have fewer equipment needs than units engaging in combat or
conducting patrols. They listed body armor
(self-protection),water capabilities (self-sustainment),
basic communication, and transportation as the fundamental
needs for force protection. Given plans for Burundi to
undertake static security, a list of needed equipment which
Burundi's MOD submitted to the AU and potential donors could
be shortened considerably to provide the basic needs and
necessary equipment for Burundi's proposed mission to
Somalia. Biraaro recommended that training for one battalion
begin the week of June 18 with the intent of deploying at the
end of July. Subsequent deployments could be made after a
second battalion is trained for more complex AMISOM missions,
and could be made in company level increments.


5. (C) The AU team acknowledged that this deployment will be
costly and the Burundians are unable to fund its mission.
Biraaro recommended that the Burundians find a sponsor who
can coordinate and lead them through the entire process, as
they have no experience with this type of mission. He
stressed that the Ugandans are alone in Somalia and a
Burundian deployment could serve to motivate other AU member
states to become Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). In a
press briefing subsequent to the AU's briefing with the
Ambassador, a Burundian military spokesman said the AU team
confirmed the Burundian army's technical competence and "the
first battalion could leave in July" for Somalia.


6. (SBU) In a meeting with Charge on June 14, Burundi's
Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Germain Niyoyonkana,

insisted that Burundi could not send a force smaller than a
battalion to Somalia. He maintained that his forces must
have the capability to defend themselves if attacked, rather
than rely solely on support from other peacekeeping forces.
He expressed appreciation for US support of Burundi's mission
and urged the US to coordinate with other donors to ensure
that Burundi obtained the needed financial and material
support to deploy expeditiously. Charge and the Embassy
Acting Defense Attache (A/DATT) explained that while the
United States could not provide weapons and ammunition, it
could provide some equipment and support services. They
suggested that a smaller force would require less material
support, and thus the Burundians might be able to deploy more
quickly. The A/DATT noted that the AU presently envisioned
Burundi's role as that of providing static secuirty and
perimeter defense.


7. (C) COMMENT: The Minister of Defense remains adamant that
Burundi will not consider sending a force smaller than a
battalion. While his stated concern is to ensure maximum
security for his troops, we believe another reason is
Burundi's desire to be perceived as on equal footing with
other Troop Contributing Countries. Although Burundi
understands that the AU will take the lead on operational
planning, it is clear that the GOB still looks to the US to
take a lead role not only in providing major support, but
also in convincing other prospective donors to step forward
with pledges of assistance. END COMMENT
BREITER