Somalia - Conversation with President Yusuf

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 004312

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/2/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SO
SUBJECT: Somalia - Conversation with President Yusuf

REF: Nairobi 4240

Classified by PolOff Hodan Hassan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On November 1 Ambassador and Special Envoy
telephoned President Yusuf to discuss the search for a
replacement for former Prime Minister Ali Gedi. They also
underlined our concern about the current insecurities and
humanitarian situation in Mogadishu.


2. (C) President Yusuf said the search for a Gedi
replacement is on-going and several candidates have emerged
from consultations with key groups. Although he
acknowledged as possibilities two members of parliament,
Abdullahi Afrah and Mohamed Addou, it seemed clear that the
search was concentrating on options from outside the
parliament. Yusuf mentioned Abdullahi Warsame Nur
(Comment. We would welcome any information Washington can
ascertain as to the skills and reputation of Warsame, an
Ohio resident. End Comment),Mohamed Aseyr Lugey, and
Hassan Sheikh Ali which were the same names provided to us
earlier by his Deputy Chief of Staff Mohamed Abdirizak in a
meeting on October 29 (reftel). Yusuf asked the United
States to review the names and offer any feedback. He said
a decision will be made within two weeks.


3. (C) According to Yusuf the parliament is currently
debating the recommendations from the National
Reconciliation Congress (NRC) and in particular the
suggestion to amend the Transitional Federal Charter so
that non-MPs can serve in the cabinet. He said he is
putting a lot of pressure on the parliament to pass the
recommendations. When the Ambassador suggested that
probably other changes to the government in addition to the
prime minister would also seem indicated, Yusuf agreed,
saying that he is planning to bring in "able people" into
key cabinet positions (Comment: He did not specify how many
or which ministers may lose their posts. End Comment)


4. (C) The Ambassador emphasized to Yusuf the critical
importance of reaching out to moderate members of the
opposition in Asmara or elsewhere. Yusuf responded that he
is open to engage in dialogue with the opposition and to
help support such outreach had asked Ali Mahdi to travel
to Baidoa and advise him on this issue. Yusuf added that
upon Mahdi's arrival, he will call the Ambassador to talk
further on outreach to the opposition.



5. (U) Special Envoy noted to Yusuf our own and the
international community's concern over the humanitarian
situation in Mogadishu. He referred to the UN/NGO
statement highly critical of the TFG especially regarding
reports of a major outflow of IDPs from the City. Yusuf
acknowledged our concern and responded that he was
monitoring the situation. He referred to a statement that
was to be issued (COMMENT: Which may have been the one
read at Somali Embassy Nairobi Press Conference today END
COMMENT).


6. (C) Yusuf attributed the growing violence in Mogadishu
to the introduction of increasing numbers of shabaab
fighters into the city from terrorist training camps in the
Lower Juba region. He lamented the difficulties faced by
the TFG forces who need to fight the terrorists but must
also protect the civilian population.

END

RANNEBERGER