Somaliland -- Foreign Minister on the Way Forward

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NAIROBI 003373 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET SUBJECT: Somaliland -- Foreign Minister on the Way Forward REF: A) Nairobi 3350 B) Nairobi 3338 Classified by PolOff Hodan Hassan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. On August 20, the Ambassador held consultations with Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdillahi Mohamed Duale (at his request) to discuss the full range of issues in the U.S.-Somaliland relationship. Topics included the arrest of opposition political leaders, elections and recognition, the situation in Somalia, and a possible fall 2007 visit to Washington for President Riyaale. Duale presented a detailed Aide Memoire on Somaliland positions on current issues (Ref A) and a reply letter from President Riyaale to the Ambassador on the Qaran case (Ref B) End Summary. -------------- Qaran Controversy -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador opened the meeting by expressing grave concern with the reported sentencing of the leaders of the Qaran political association. (Comment: Three officials from Qaran, a relatively new political association, were charged with forming an illegal political party and sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. They were also banned from participating in politics for five years. End Comment) The Ambassador emphasized that the jailing of the opposition figures undercut Somaliland's credibility as a developing democracy. The Ambassador emphasized that U.S.-Somaliland relations are essentially based on three pillars: U.S. interest in supporting Somaliland as a developing democracy, working together to promote stability in the Horn of Africa, and cooperation against terrorism. He indicated that the actions against the Qaran cloud Somaliland's image as a developing democracy and therefore potentially affect our relationship. ¶3. (C) Duale presented the Ambassador with a response letter (REF B) from President Riyaale on the subject of the Qaran arrests. He strongly defended the decision by the government to arrest and to sentence the Qaran officials. He accused the group of operating under the guise of a political association, but in reality engaging in early campaigning before the rules and procedures for the upcoming elections are determined. Duale added that Qaran had opened offices and their activities were causing unrest and instability. He also mentioned that Dr. Mohamed Abdi �00A;Gaboose, the leader of Qaran, is an Islamic Courts Union sympathizer and started an Islamic-oriented political party before the previous local elections in 2002. ¶4. (C) Mohamed Nur Ahmed, Somaliland's Honorary Councilor in Kenya, added that it was common knowledge that the son of Mohamed Hashi (Gaboose's deputy) was killed in southern Somalia last year while fighting with the Islamic Courts. He also implied that Eritrea is playing a destabilizing role in Somaliland. (Comment: Most close followers of Somaliland politics discount allegations by the government that Qaran is a front for either the Eritreans or Islamic radicals. Qaran appears to have successfully tapped a well of public frustration with the government and the existing opposition parties. In an aside with Nur following the meeting, he told us the government "panicked," and arrested the Qaran officials primarily because of their political success. End Comment) ¶5. (C) The Ambassador stated that whether the Qaran officials were guilty of a breach of the law or constitution, the perception of many is that the government is acting to thwart any potential opposition in advance of the elections. Duale provided repeated assurances of the government's "commitment" to democracy. He stressed that U.S. concerns are about the Qaran issue are being taken seriously. Pressed, he pleaded for U.S. patience, since the matter has not worked its way through the court system. He stated that an appeal is pending. Duale also stated that the President will have some discretion in resolution of this matter following the outcome of the judicial proceedings. He hinted, but by no means guaranteed, that a way may be found to eventually release the Qaran prisoners. Duale also welcomed observers from the United States to Somaliland in order to observe judicial proceedings. In response to the Ambassador's inquiry, Duale also said that the ICRC and/or Amnesty International would be given access to the Qaran prisoners. The Ambassador emphasized that the Somaliland government should take steps to resolve the NAIROBI 00003373 002 OF 003 issue expeditiously. He reiterated that this ongoing matter taints Somaliland's democratic credentials and clouds the U.S.-Somaliland relationship. The Ambassador made clear that it would be preferable to have issue resolved before a presidential trip to the United States. -------------- Staying the Course on Elections -------------- ¶6. (C) Duale acknowledged that there are serious delays in preparations for the proposed local municipal elections in December 2007. He laid much of the blame on the opposition-controlled lower house of parliament, which he accused of deliberately blocking efforts to confirm the last two members of the National Election Committee (NEC) and pass the 2007 budget. Duale said there are efforts currently underway by what he called "a wisemen's group" composed of various elements of civil society and elders to mediate between the executive and the parliament. He recognized the significant challenges involved in carrying out a voter registration exercise in advance of the December municipal elections. However, Duale was adamant that the government is not in favor of postponing the elections, stating "we must get it done." He requested support from the U.S. to assist in the preparations for the elections. The Ambassador highlighted the on-going support through the International Republican Institute and CARE for political processes in Somaliland. -------------- Offer to Assist on Somalia crisis -------------- ¶7. (C) Duale emphasized Somaliland's concern about the on- going instability in southern Somalia. He indicated that the government will send a letter to the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia Francois Fall offering to share Somaliland's experiences in reconciliation and peace-building. Duale said that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is doing the "exact opposite" of what Somaliland did to achieve peace and security. He pointed to the importance of a grassroots- based approach to reconciliation that would be truly inclusive. Duale noted that the success in ending internal civil strife in Somaliland was ultimately the result of power-sharing arrangements that included all the key stakeholders. He implied strongly that the absence of a stable political solution in Somalia is due to a lack of political will on the part of Somalia's leaders. -------------- Recognition Efforts -------------- ¶8. (C) Duale highlighted the efforts of Somaliland to promote the case for recognition within Africa. Somaliland officials remain actively engaged with the African Union on the issue. As an example, he pointed to Ghana's insistence that the issue be discussed at the recent AU summit in Accra. Duale said he learned from an official in the Kenyan Foreign Ministry that efforts to engage the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to support recognition have been thwarted by Uganda. He asked that the U.S. encourage Uganda not to scuttle attempts to bring IGAD into discussions on recognition for Somaliland. -------------- Possible Washington Trip -------------- ¶9. (C) Duale said the Somaliland government is flexible in the dates for travel to Washington by the president. He suggested another more substantive meeting take place at a location of our choosing to discuss an agenda and expected outcomes for a Washington trip. Duale agreed with the Ambassador's suggestion that general topics for possible discussion in Washington include: fostering regional security; cooperating to fight terrorism; promoting stability and security in Somalia; supporting democratization and development in Somaliland; and addressing the way forward with respect to encouraging African consideration of recognition for Somaliland. Duale mentioned he heard of Assistant Secretary Frazer's possible visit to Addis around September 7 and made a request to meet with her there. Duale agreed that a visit during the fall following the UNGA would be appropriate timing. He also strongly agreed with the Ambassador's point that it is NAIROBI 00003373 003 OF 003 important to avoid exaggerated expectations for the visit. -------------- Djibouti -------------- ¶10. (C) In a following private discussion with the Ambassador, Duale appealed for help with Djibouti. He reviewed the recent history of that relationship, noting that Somaliland has had an office there. Djibouti, Duale said, had agreed to open an office in Somaliland but never did. Duale went into a fairly convoluted discussion of the difficulties with Djibouti, with the bottom line being that they are due to clan/tribal issues. He said that the Djiboutian president is an Issa, whereas the majority of Somaliland's population and political elite are from the Issak clan. The Djiboutian president had asked the Issa in Somaliland to boycott the elections. Now, Duale said, the Djiboutians have kicked out the Somaliland representative in Djibouti. Can the U.S. help with Djibouti, Duale asked? -------------- Comment -------------- ¶11. (C) According to press reporting and Interpeace, a successful meeting of elders, heads of political parties, MPs, government representatives, and the "wisemen" (para 6) took place on August 20 and resolved many political issues. Parliament agreed to review the President's nominations for the remaining two members of the National Electoral Commission; the President agreed to sign 2007 budget bill as passed by Parliament; and, the three arrested leaders of Qaran will be released and their rights to political participation restored while the appeal process continues.. If all three steps are carried out it will mark a big step forward for Somaliland politically. Interpeace, a recipient of USG funding for peace and reconciliation activities, immediately made plans to visit Hargeisa this week to learn more. RANNEBERGER