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.

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Return of the Warlords
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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