SAG OPEN TO COOPERATING ON BURUNDI AMISOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001288 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF DAS J. SWAN, AF/RSA M. BITTRICK AND R. ORTH, AF/S M. TABLER-STONE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS BY KE SF SUBJECT: SAG OPEN TO COOPERATING ON BURUNDI AMISOM DEPLOYMENT REF: A. STATE 038267 ¶B. PRETORIA 0300 Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) an d (d). ¶1. (C) South Africa's political leadership would be open to a request for South African assistance in deploying Burundian troops to the AU Mission in Somalia, according to SAG Great Lakes Envoy and DFA Deputy Director General Kingsley Mamabolo. During Acting DCM's April 13 discussion of Ref A points (Burundi peace process issues reported septel), Mamabolo noted that even though South Africa said it cannot provide troops for the Somali mission, DefMin Lekota publicly stated January 25 that the SAG would look for other ways to support AMISOM (ref B). Mamabolo said he would raise the issue with DepForMin Pahad later April 13. ¶2. (C) Mamabolo made three observations about the request: -- The SAG would be more apt to assist if the request came from the African Union, not bilaterally. -- The South African Department of Defence would have the lead on technical discussions. -- The Burundian military has the capacity to provide the troops, but would need assistance with equipment and resources. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: We agree with Ref A that South Africa could be a useful partner on the Burundian deployment in Somalia, given their relationship with the GOB, the fact they currently have some 1000 troops deployed in Burundi, and their stated commitment to assisting with AMISOM. The next step is providing the SAG Department of Defence with a concrete, technical request detailing exactly what is sought from them. In order to avoid political complications, this request should come from the AU or the GOB -- although we would also want to backchannel the request through key SAG interlocutors like Mamabolo. ¶4. (C/NF) COMMENT Cont.: The SANDF are currently overcommitted in Burundi, Sudan, Ethiopia/Eritrea, and the DRC. Additionally, the South African Air Force's C-130 operational readiness is very low, which may prevent or limit their capability to provide direct airlift assistance. END COMMENT. BOST