Somalia - Meeting with President Yusuf

S E C R E T NAIROBI 002069

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MOPS SO
SUBJECT: Somalia - Meeting with President Yusuf


Classified by Ambassador Michael Ranneberger for Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (C) Summary. During a May 15 meeting, TFG President Yusuf told the
Ambassador that he is pursuing dialogue with various sub-clans and is
committed to power-sharing to be worked out in the context of the
National Reconciliation Congress. He indicated his intention to
replace Prime Minister Gedi as part of this process. The Ambassador
also raised concerns with respect to humanitarian access. End
summary.


2. (C) The Ambassador met with Yusuf during his transit through
Nairobi enroute to Kampala for discussions with President Museveni.
The Ambassador used the meeting to press Yusuf on the need to pursue
dialogue in order to lay the basis for a successful National
Reconciliation Congress. He emphasized the need for power-sharing
(within the parameters of the Transitional Federal Charter). He
stressed the importance of delivering clear public messages,
including by making public the agenda for the Congress (to include
power-sharing and development of a roadmap for the 2009 transition).
He also raised humanitarian concerns. The Ambassador underscored
that continuing close cooperation and coordination between Yusuf and
the U.S. are essential to take advantage of a narrow window of
opportunity to consolidate peace and security. The Ambassador
highlighted the U.S. view that isolating Islamic Courts radicals and
other spoilers through an inclusive political accommodation is the
only way to achieve security.


3. (C) Yusuf said that dialogue is continuing. However, he admitted
that the leader of the Hawiye elders, Abdi Iman, had refused to
participate. It appeared from Yusuf's comments that the TFG dialogue
with the Hawiye elders that began some weeks ago has broken down into
discussions with various sub-clans. He said that the Hawiye elders
have divided, with the Abgals breaking off to express support for the
TFG. Yusuf said that he is meeting with the Ayr, Suleiman, and
Duduble sub-clans. He claimed that the TFG was close to agreement
with these groups, with the final step being to convince their
militias to cooperate and turn in their weapons. (See Septel
reporting from Ayr sources that indicate the picture is not as
positive as painted by Yusuf.)


4. (C) Yusuf agreed on the need to move ahead quickly toward the
National Reconciliation Congress. He did not disagree with the
Ambassador's clear statement that the agenda should include
power-sharing and development of a roadmap for the 2009 transition.
Yusuf said he would speak with Ali Mahdi, head of National
Reconciliation Committee, on the need to publicize the agenda. The
Ambassador also emphasized that the clans must be allowed to choose
their representatives to the Congress, if it is to have credibility.
Yusuf agreed.


5. (C) Yusuf emphasized the need to expedite deployment of more
AMISOM forces. He also asked for U.S. assistance to lobby SAUDI
Arabia to provide financial support for the Reconciliation Congress.
The Ambassador made clear that the U.S. is working hard to encourage
and support deployment of more AMISOM forces and indicated that the
U.S. has already weighed in with the Saudis to help the TFG.


6. (C) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for steps Yusuf has
taken to remove obstacles to humanitarian access, but indicated that
a number of issues remain to be resolved. He emphasized the need for
TFG flexibility in dealing with international and non-governmental
organizations seeking to deliver humanitarian assistance. Yusuf
agreed to have the Minister of Health, who he has appointed as the
point person on this issue, meet with relevant representatives of
organizations in Nairobi involved in humanitarian assistance. We are
following up on this.


7. (S) In a subsequent one-on-one discussion, the Ambassador raised
U.S. concerns about Prime Minister Gedi. Yusuf readily agreed,
saying that Gedi is not supporting dialogue and is not doing his job
to improve performance of the TFG. He said, however, that Gedi
should not be removed now, while sensitive discussions with sub-clans
are ongoing. Yusuf said his approach will be to orchestrate Gedi's
removal in the context of the Reconciliation Congress. The
Ambassador stressed that any replacement for Gedi would have to be
someone from the Hawiye broadly acceptable to all the sub-clans.
Yusuf agreed. The Ambassador asked Yusuf to share names of anyone
Yusuf thought might be an appropriate replacement for Gedi. Yusuf
stressed his desire to coordinate closely with the U.S. and said he
would do so.
RANNEBERGER