UGANDA: ACTION ITEMS ON SOMALIA FROM EUCOM DEPUTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KAMPALA 000342 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/17 TAGS: PREL EAID KPKO MOPS ET SO ER KE UG SUBJECT: UGANDA: ACTION ITEMS ON SOMALIA FROM EUCOM DEPUTY COMMANDER GENERAL WARD'S VISIT Classified By: P/E Chief Kathleen FitzGibbon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Summary: Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command General William Ward, discussed a wide range of issues with Ugandan military and civilian officials during his visit to Uganda from February 27 to 28. Ward praised President Museveni's commitment to regional stability. Senior military officers briefed Ward on deployment preparations for Somalia. Ugandan officials requested U.S. assistance in providing coastal security off Somalia, intelligence-sharing, donor assistance to rebuild Somalia's wrecked infrastructure, and U.S. pressure on the Transitional Federal Government to be inclusive. End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MUSEVENI - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (C) President Yoweri Museveni told General Ward that many security problems were not difficult to solve. Outsiders, however, often under or overestimated the problems. Museveni said that Uganda had resolved many of its own issues and regional disputes, often alone. Museveni stressed the problem of Arab fundamentalism and the instability caused by undemocratic forces in the region. He explained to Ward Uganda's doctrine of only fighting just wars, and the necessity of clearly defining the purpose of any mission. General Ward emphasized that the U.S. understands the importance of African countries resolving African problems. He added that the U.S. is cautious about becoming involved if it would create more problems. There are times when it was better for the U.S. to play a supporting, not lead role, stated Ward. Museveni agreed and added that there were instances when the support of international partners was helpful. Museveni said that Uganda has the courage to undertake difficult missions, but not the money. He expressed appreciation for the logistics support from the U.S. for the Somalia deployment. ¶3. (C) Ward urged Museveni to send his best military planners to the the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) planning cell. Ward argued that Uganda had an important stake in the current and future details, particularly on resources for the deployment. During his visit to Addis Ababa, Ward noted that the African Union's planning cell was one element of the process that was not adequately resourced. Museveni agreed and said that the most successful operations in Africa have been at the regional, not AU level. General Ward encouraged Museveni and his Kenyan, Ethiopian, and Tanzanian counterparts to remain engaged on the political front in Somalia. Museveni assured Ward that Uganda was cooperating with its neighbors on Somalia and other security issues. He admitted that there was a tendency to send weak personnel to fill certain AU positions, but agreed that Uganda would pay more attention to the planning element. ¶4. (C) During a February 27 press conference, Ward explained the genesis of the new Africa Command. Both Ward and Museveni rejected the notion that Uganda's deployment to Somalia was an example of the U.S. using proxies to fight the global war on terror. Museveni explained his longstanding commitment to fighting terrorists. Museveni also said that Uganda would need a "green light" before it could exercise any military options against the "terrorist" Lord's Resistance Army in the Congo. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SOMALIA DEPLOYMENT REQUESTS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (C) Ugandan military and civilian officials made several requests during meetings with General Ward. Chief of Defense Forces Aronda Nyakairima said that during a recent visit to Mogadishu, that he learned of many Islamists who had fled to Yemen to regroup and return to Somalia. Aronda asked Ward for U.S. help in patrolling Somalia's long sea border to interdict them. Without a secure sea border, Uganda's ability to stabilize the situation would be undermined. General Ward said that he would raise this issue with the U.S. Central Command, in whose area of responsibility Somalia falls. ¶6. (C) The second request was to share intelligence. Aronda and General Wamala Katumba, the Commander of Uganda's Land Forces, told General Ward that the peace support mission would be intelligence-led. Aronda said that an officer was selected to fill a liaison position in Djibouti and another for the African Union. On the political side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would appoint a career foreign service officer to handle political issues. Aronda stated that individuals that are undermining peace and stability needed to be identified and prevented from causing trouble. Aronda identified three subversive elements: the remnants of the Islamic militias, warlords, and free-lance militias. These groups believe it is best not to have a government in Somalia. It will be important to be able to "weed them out" without hurting the general population. ¶7. (C) Thirdly, Aronda and Minister of Defense Crispus Kiyonga stressed the importance of the peace-building effort, especially pressure on the Transitional Federal Government to be as inclusive as possible. Aronda estimated the length of the Ugandan deployment to be eighteen months, which would provide enough time for Uganda to train security forces. However, the donors needed to help restore basic services to Somalia, such as water, health care, and education so that the Somali people begin to value having a government. Ambassador Browning said that the Embassy would help Ugandan officials make contact with members of the International Contact Group. This would give Uganda a better picture of what types of development actitivies were being planned. ¶8. (C) Defense Permanent Secretary Noble Mayombo asked when the funds for sustaining the contingent would be available. The Ambassador said that the Congressional notification had been made and that the Embassy would follow up. Earlier, Aronda also asked when the training for another battalion would begin. DATT responded that the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) officers would return later this month to plan the arrival of the trainers. - - - - COMMENT - - - - ¶9. (C) General Ward's visit further demonstrated to the Ugandan Government the U.S. Government's commitment to work with Uganda on peace and security issues. President Museveni and other civilian and military officials expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance, particularly the hard work of the Defense Attache. BROWNING