TFG Appointments

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 000790 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET SUBJECT: TFG Appointments REF: Nairobi 597 Classified by PolOff Hodan Hassan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) In the last few days, TFG President Abdullahi Yusuf has appointed more than 70 local and regional administrative positions in Galgudud, Lower Juba, Middle Juba, and Bakool regions. According to sources in Mogadishu, on February 13 the TFG nominated commissioners for the 16 districts in the city. The TFG also announced the creation of two new districts in Bakool region. Yusuf stated that the appointments and the creation of new districts were carried out in accordance with the emergency powers act. Initial reaction has been mixed, with more contacts expressing disappointment at the process rather than critcizing the merits of the actual appointments. -------------- New Appointments -------------- ¶2. (U) TFG President Yusuf has nominated more than 70 individuals in four regions to a range of positions, including regional governors, district commissioners, and police commanders. According to a circular from the office of the TFG President, the appointments were made based on extensive consultations and in accordance with the recently imposed emergency laws. The TFG has also allegedly named commissioners for the 16 districts in Mogadishu. The names put forward for the Mogadishu positions are reportedly the same district commissioners selected during the previous Transitional National Government (2000-2004). -------------- Public Reaction -------------- ¶3. (U) Initial reaction has been mixed with more contacts expressing disappointment at the process rather than the merits of the actual appointments. According to a radio journalist in Mogadishu, local reaction in the various regions has been primarily negative. In a call-in show on Horn Afrik FM radio in Mogadishu, callers expressed frustration that the appointments were made without consulting the local communities over which the appointed officials would govern. Other callers on the same show stated that President Yusuf was within his rights to appoint individuals to positions as a means to extend the reach of the TFG. A Nairobi-based Somali analyst stated that in some instances individuals selected by communities are being replaced by the TFG, which naturally will lead to friction between local communities and the central government. A radio journalist in Mogadishu indicated that there is particular anger by some elements of the Hawiye/Haber Gedir/Ayr that the creation of two new districts will strengthen representation of the Ogaden (a Darod sub-clan) in Galgudud region. -------------- Supplanting Local Initiatives? -------------- ¶4. (C) A researcher with the Mogadishu-based Center for Research and Dialogue stated that "unilateral" appointments made by Yusuf stood in contrast to previous demonstrations of TFG support for selecting district and regional councils at the grassroots level. The model cited is the District-Based Peace-Building (DBPB) Project, begun in 2005 and supported by UNDP/UNOPS, which has brought together members of the Transitional Federal Parliament and local clan, religious, and civil society leaders in Bay region and some districts in Bakool region. After working through local-level reconciliation issues, the group selected individuals to serve on district and regional councils, which effectively resulted in consensus "elections" in these two regions. ¶5. (C) In conversations with several Somali analysts, the DBPB project has been both well-received and popular. According to the Somali researcher with the Mogadishu-based Center for Research and Dialogue, the project has resulted in local and regional councils deemed "legitimate" and "representative" in the eyes of the affected communities. He cited as evidence that shortly after the process was completed in Burkhaaba town the Islamic Courts invaded and attempted to replace the local commissioners. The community protested and stated the selections were not hand-picked by the TFG but a result of a grassroots-based process. The Islamic Courts reportedly acceded to the wishes of the town and did not replace the local commissioners. -------------- Temporary or Permanent Appointments -------------- NAIROBI 00000790 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) With respect to the various positions appointed by both PM Gedi and TFG President Yusuf, there has been a lack of clarity on whether the appointments are temporary or permanent. In discussions with international organization representatives and diplomats, including us, PM Gedi has stated the positions are for a 3-month period, after which the structures will be in place and local communities can select their own leaders. However, we are told that neither Yusuf nor Gedi has publicly stated that the appointments are only temporary. Somali contacts in both Mogadishu and Nairobi have told us the Somali public would find it understandable that the TFG needs to make appointments as a method of consolidating authority in the interim. However, our sources report that the TFG's constant reference to the emergency law as justification for the appointments without any clarification of when communities can choose their own leaders, does not play well with a considerable segment of the Somali public. RANNEBERGER