Somalia--Round Two of TFG/Hawiye Talks

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001996 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET SUBJECT: Somalia--Round Two of TFG/Hawiye Talks Classified by PolOff Hodan Hassan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Transitional Federal Government President Abdullahi Yusuf met with elders from the Hawiye clan for a second time since the fighting ended on April ¶28. The talks were reportedly cordial although PM Gedi evidenced continued hostility towards the elders. There appear to be indications of strain, however, among the elders over their collective approach to the TFG. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On May 6, President Abdullahi Yusuf and elders from the Hawiye clan met for the second time since fighting ended on April 28. The meeting included President Yusuf, Prime Minster Gedi, and more than 50 Hawiye elders. Sources close to both the TFG and the elders indicate the discussions were "relatively" useful. ¶3. (C) In the days before the second meeting, the Hawiye elders consulted with civil society and political groups to develop a common platform for discussions with the TFG. According to a civil society activist, the various groups reached general consensus on most issues. However, a group of businessmen and intellectuals led by Hussein Haji Bood (Hawiye/Abgal) did not agree with some of the points in a letter drafted for President Yusuf, including the request for the immediate withdrawal by Ethiopia. Bood argued that any requests regarding a withdrawal of Ethiopian forces should be discussed directly with the Ethiopians. They reportedly preferred taking a more conciliatory or softer approach in language and substance. ¶4. (C) Prominent Hawiye elder and chairman of the Hawiye Leadership Committee Haji Abdi Iman urged the rest of his colleagues to reach consensus with Bood and his group before meeting with the TFG. In a conversation with Embassy PolOff, Abdi Iman explained his concern that future talks with the TFG could be unsuccessful if key constituents within the Hawiye felt excluded from the dialogue. The majority of the Hawiye Leadership Committee's members opted to continue with plans to meet with the TFG despite the inability to reach consensus with the Bood group. According to a source close to the elders, they believed delaying discussions with the TFG could slow down the momentum and play into the hands of those not interested in a successful outcome of the talks. ¶5. (C) Abdi Iman declined to attend the talks with the TFG, stating that the community had not yet achieved broad consensus. He refuted claims in the media that his absence is evidence of a major rift among the Hawiye elders. Abdi Iman reiterated in a conversation with Embassy PolOff and in media interviews with Somali press that speculation about a major fallout is exaggerated; and he is still optimistic that discussions with the TFG can be successful. ¶6. (C) In the meeting with the TFG, the elders presented a letter outlining their key grievances and making suggestions for a way forward. President Yusuf promised to study the letter and to constitute a committee (Comment. Whether the committee has been constituted or the nature of its composition is not yet known. End Comment.) to lead the way on further negotiations. A date for the next meeting has not yet been set. ¶7. (C) In a call to the Ambassador on 3 May, PM Gedi expressed confidence that the talks with the Hawiye elders would be successful. He said the TFG asked the elders to form an 11-person committee (Comment. This would seem to be a different committee than the one referred to in paragraph six. End Comment) to engage with the TFG on future negotiations. Ambassador Ranneberger emphasized the importance the U.S. attaches to dialogue and to an inclusive political dialogue. RANNEBERGER