Somalia--TFG/Hawiye Talks and Appointments

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001905 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET SUBJECT: Somalia--TFG/Hawiye Talks and Appointments Classified by PolOff Hodan Hassan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) On April 29, Transitional Federal Government (TFG) President Abdullahi Yusuf met with members of the Hawiye Leadership Committee in his headquarters, Villa Somalia. The meeting was initiated by Ethiopian military commanders and included TFG Prime Minster Ali Gedi and Ethiopian General Gabre. Haji Abdi Imaam (Abgal/Harti) and Ugaas Abdidahir Nur (Haber Gedir/Ayr) led the Hawiye delegation of 15 elders. Information from press reports and the elders present at the meeting in Mogadishu indicates the discussions were relatively cordial and centered on the cause of the fighting and how to prevent further conflict. ¶2. (C) According to Haji Abdi Imaam, Yusuf's tone was courteous and respectful throughout the meeting; and he stated that he is "ready to reconcile" and is prepared to listen to complaints against the TFG. Imaam, however, reported that Gedi was extremely combative, questioning the legitimacy of the elders and accusing them of consorting with terrorists. ¶3. (C) Both sides agreed on a need to hold further talks. In preparation for the next meeting that is scheduled on May 3, the Hawiye elders are consulting with civil society and political leaders to put together a comprehensive list of issues to discuss with the TFG. According to sources, the list includes building up the Benadir regional administration, power-sharing, the tasks required in the Transitional Federal Charter, and security arrangements. -------------- Return of the Warlords -------------- ¶4. (C) According to sources in Mogadishu, the general public has been relatively disappointed with the recent appointments of: --Mohamed Omar Habeb (Hawiye/Abgal),aka "Mohamed Dhere", to the twin posts of Governor of Benadir region and Mayor of Mogadishu; and --Abdi Hassan Awale (Hawiye/Haber Gedir),aka "Hassan Qeybdiid" to the post of national police commissioner. Several civil society sources were puzzled as to why the TFG would turn to former warlords who, in the sources' estimation, have no real political support within the community. (Comment: Both Qeybdiid and Dhere were members of the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter- Terrorism and fought against the Islamic Courts in May/June ¶2006. End Comment.) There are also indications that the appointment of Dheere has caused tensions within the Hawiye/Abgal because its Warsangeli sub-clan now holds two of the TFG's most influential positions: Prime Minster and Governor of Benadir. ¶5. (C) According to community sources in Mogadishu, Mohamed Dhere got off to a bad start in terms of public relations and community confidence building. First, he ordered the business community in Bakara Market to turn over its accumulated arms within 16 hours. His demand angered this key Mogadishu constituency; but, in a meeting with TFG and Ethiopian forces, the business association indicated that its members were willing to disarm when proper security arrangements are in place. Second, Dhere, in a public statement, accused civil society groups of corruption and decreed that the groups must now seek approval from the district commissioner before receiving donor funds. ¶6. (SBU) Despite Dhere's initial "gaffs", some contacts were willing to give both Dhere and Qeybdiid a chance and believed the two could perform provided there are transparent and democratic governance structures in place. RANNEBERGER