Travel to Somalia

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002406

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
DS for A/S Griffin, DSS Director Starr, and DS/IP/AF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PTER SO ET
SUBJECT: Travel to Somalia

REF: Nairobi 1749

Classified by PolOff Mitch Benedict for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (SBU) Summary. This message lays out proposed plans for travel by
USG personnel to Somalia during the next 6 months. End Summary.

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National Reconciliation Congress
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2. (C) The Somalia National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) is expected
to convene in Mogadishu on/about June 14 and will run for at least
30-45 days. The Congress will be of central importance to achieve
national reconciliation, and to build stability and security. The
U.S. is playing a major role to help bring about and support the
Congress. This includes the U.S. role in promoting dialogue. It is,
therefore, essential that the U.S. be present at the Congress. We
propose to send two locally engaged staff of the Somalia Unit to help
monitor proceedings throughout the duration of the meeting. In
addition, we propose to send American officers (State and USAID),
including Special Envoy Yates and possibly Ambassador Ranneberger,
for periods ranging from 1-4 days at a time. Special Envoy Yates,
accompanied by the two locally engaged staff, should be present for
the opening of the Congress set for June 14. There may also be a need
for Mission or USG-contracted personnel to be at the Congress for
support purposes.


3. (C) Depending on developments at the Congress, it may be necessary
for senior Washington-based personnel --specifically AF A/S Frazer --
to visit the Congress on 1-2 day missions.


4. (C) While the degree of success or failure of the Congress will in
part influence the need for and frequency of future travel to
Somalia, we envision a need for monthly visits to various locations
in Somalia by both American officers (State and USAID) and locally
engaged staff.

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Longer Term Travel
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5. (C) In essence, travel to Somalia will have the following purposes:

-- Engage with the Transitional Federal Institutions and
non-government actors to encourage an inclusive national
reconciliation process.
-- Continue to press for an end to violence.
-- Ensure unhindered distribution of urgently needed humanitarian
assistance.
-- Support provision of development and security assistance.


6. (C) Travel will be carried out in most cases by State/AID teams
ranging from 2-4 people. USAID/EA, USAID/FFP and USAID/OFDA, as well
as our Refugee Coordinators, all need to perform such travel in order
to carry out their responsibilities. In some cases, travel will be
working-level, and in other cases led by Special Envoy Yates or
Ambassador Ranneberger. Exact timing of any particular trip would be
contingent on current security assessments, availability of
interlocutors, and flight/travel logistics.


7. (C) Travel destinations would include (in addition to Mogadishu
for the reconciliation congress): Baidoa, Bosasso, Hargeisa, Wajid,
Garowe, Gedo/Dobley, and Beledweyne. Given the distances involved,
travel to some locations -- Garowe Bossasso, Gedo/Dobley -- would
require an overnight stay and/or staging out of Djibouti.


9. (C) Travel costs could be contained by using regularly-scheduled
UN flights to Wajid, Garowe, Hargeisa, and Beledweyne. Gedo would be
reached by road from Kenya. Depending on the availability of UN
flights, some contract air could be required.


10. (C) All travel will require development of security plans and DS
assistance.
RANNEBERGER