Somalia--NGRC Independence in Doubt

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002299 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL SO SUBJECT: Somalia--NGRC Independence in Doubt Classified by PolOff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. The May 25 resolution passed by Somalia's Transitional Federal Parliament originally reported to confirm the independence of the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee has proven to be ambiguous, at best, upon review of the actual text. The reported behind-the-scenes discussions on the measure raise serious issues. End summary. ¶2. (U) Somalia's Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) on May 26 deliberated on the approval of members for the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee (NGRC) appointed by President Yusuf to coordinate the National Reconciliation Congress scheduled to begin June 14. Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi attended and addressed the parliamentary session. ¶3. (U) An Embassy translation of the resolution follows: Quote Transitional Federal Parliament of Somali Republic (TFP) Office of the 2nd Deputy Speaker Date: 26/05/2007 Ref: TFP/032/07 Objective: Resolution Regarding the Approval of Names of NGRC. On this day, 26/05/2007 Having heard: The debates and ideas brought forth by the Parliamentarians. Having noted: The important points raised by the Parliamentarians in the debate. Having subjected to voting: The ideas which emanated from the debate. Having referred to: Article 30 (4) of parliament's standing Orders. Hawing witnessed: The Voting by 159 Parliamentarians. One hundred and fifty-one MPs have voted for and eight MPs voted against and none abstained. Therefore, Parliament fully supports the NGRC and its programs in the period of the process of the NRC. The Names of the NGRC ¶1. Hon. Ali Mahdi Mohamed ?Chairman ¶2. Hon. Mohamed Salah Ladane ¶3. Hon. Mohamud Jirde Hussein ¶4. Hon. Abdirahman Abdi Hussein ¶5. Hon. Ahmed Sheikh Mukhtar --NGRC shall operate within the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) and in accordance with the Parliamentary decision reached on May 1 reference XG/182/07. --The NGRC shall only operate for the duration of the Congress. Signed Hon. Osman Elmi Boqore Ag. Speaker of Parliament, Who is also the 2nd Deputy Speaker End Quote ¶4. (SBU) In essence, the resolution states that parliament fully supports the NGRC and its programs for the duration of the Congress and that the NGRC will operate in accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) and parliament's resolution of May 1. This innocuous interpretation, however, does not capture the backroom NAIROBI 00002299 002 OF 002 politicking and understandings that went into the resolution. ¶5. (SBU) To get a better understanding of parliament's intent, our political assistant contacted Information Minister Madobe Nunow (Digil and Mirifle Clan) in Baidoa to ascertain what actually transpired in parliament on May 26. Nunow confirmed Gedi's presence during the relevant deliberations and said that the MPs generally supported an independent NGRC. After lengthy deliberation, the MPs voted 151 for and 8 against the resolution. ¶6. (C) A journalist working for Hawiye/Abgal-owned Simba Radio, Yasin Mohamed, however, told us that the parliamentary session began amidst rumors that President Yusuf secretly passed a letter to parliament. In it, he reportedly expressed concern that the NGRC was unexpectedly emerging as a third force with the full confidence and backing of the international community and many Somalis. If parliament was not clever in checking the NGRC's powers, there could be a major political upheaval. ¶7. (C) According to journalist Mohamed, Gedi said in his opening speech "...I would not allow the NGRC to wield more powers than MPs, and political reconciliation is not an option for them to handle". Gedi also told the parliamentarians that TFG organs such as the Reconciliation Ministry and National Reconciliation Council would play roles in the Congress. He reportedly said that the MPs themselves are representatives of their respective clans/sub-clans and, as such, have the mandate to make final decisions on clan representation in the event of disputes. According to Mohamed, Gedi went on to say that the NGRC mandate originated in parliament; the NGRC, therefore, can only operate with parliamentary approval; and parliament must debate the outcome of the Reconciliation Congress. ¶8. (C) The MPs, accordingly, were apprehensive about NGRC independence, fearing that it could change the political climate. In order to counter the international community's influence on the NGRC, the MPs reportedly agreed to the following but this did not appear in any parliamentary document: --To micromanage the NGRC by denying it the mandate to touch on political (power sharing) issues during the Reconciliation Congress; --To limit the NGRC role to social reconciliation, i.e., resolving inter/intra-clan conflicts, as well as land and property disputes; and, --To determine that it was not in the purview of the NGRC to bring about reconciliation between the TFG and opposition groups. ¶9. (C) Comment. There is concern among knowledgeable Somalis and in the international community that both Gedi and Yusuf may be trying to ensure control of the NGRC. The resolution by the TFP expresses support for the NGRC but does not specifically endorse its independence. It merely "supports" the NGRC within cited parameters. Parliament is uneasy with the NGRC's flirtation with the international community and its perceived empowerment to proceed with political reconciliation (power sharing) and a clear roadmap to 2009 elections. While parliament debated about the NGRC's independence, the resolution read out at the end of the session simply bore the title: "Resolution Regarding the Approval of Names of NGRC". There is renewed concern, therefore, that neither the TFG nor the parliament is truly interested in either political reconciliation or a 2009 transition. ¶10. (U) In light of the "ambiguity" of the TFG's position on the purpose of the NRC, the letter from A/S Frazer delivered to Yusuf today (5/31) is timely. End comment. Ranneberger