NEXT STEPS - ESTABLISHMENT OF SOMALIA JOINT

UNCLAS STATE 104793 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS AMEMB ADDIS PLEASE PASS TO USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR SO UG SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS - ESTABLISHMENT OF SOMALIA JOINT SECURITY MECHANISM REF: STATE 99425 ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Kampala, please see paragraph two. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Post is asked to approach the Government of Uganda (GOU) to pursue the following objective: -- Seek agreement to take specific actions outlined below as the lead contingent in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to establish the Joint Security Mechanism (JSM) for the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference (NRC). BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Immediate action is needed to establish the JSM and create a secure environment for genuine political dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia. As the only country currently deployed under AMISOM, the lead on this action falls to Uganda and to the Ugandan People's Defense Force (UPDF) currently deployed in Mogadishu. Specific actions needed to achieve this objective are as follows: -- Call a meeting at the AMISOM headquarters in Mogadishu as soon as possible. Participants at this meeting should include a representative from the TFG, most likely the Chief of Police, a representative from the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee (NGRC),and representatives from each clan (Hawiye, Darood, Rahanweyn, and Dir) participating in the Congress. Ethiopia (Col. Ghebre) should be invited to participate as a liaison. AMISOM might also consider inviting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to attend as an observer given their role in providing logistical support and overseeing the Rule of Law and Security (ROLS) program. -- At this meeting, the UPDF/AMISOM representative should ask participants to review the existing security arrangements for the Congress, beginning with a briefing from the TFG and Ethiopian representatives. The UPDF should invite comments from other representatives and help identify points of action for follow-up (i.e., security arrangements at hotels, agreement on VIP and bodyguard protocol). -- The UPDF/AMISOM should ensure that the JSM meets a minimum of once a week to review security arrangements for the Congress, and should also meet on an as-needed basis to coordinate the response to specific security threats/incidents. -- Once the equipment for the Congress arrives in Mogadishu, AMISOM (as the chair of the JSM) should make every effort to visit the Congress venue regularly to review security arrangements at the Congress. ¶4. (SBU) The United States is actively supporting the NRC and plans to use FY07 Supplemental peacekeeping (PKO) funds to procure the equipment necessary to help secure the Congress venue, including metal detectors, mobile phone signal jammers, mine and bomb detectors, and communications equipment. As outlined in reftel, this assistance can only be provided via AMISOM as chair of the JSM. While AMISOM will be able to allow the TFG security forces at the Congress to operate some equipment, an AMISOM role in providing oversight through the JSM is crucial. ¶5. (SBU) Post may also wish to use the following talking points in their discussions with government representatives: -- We recognize and appreciate the Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) being the sole force contributor to AMISOM. -- Given that the UPDF is the only force deployed under AMISOM and Major General Karahunga is the AMISOM commander, we need Uganda's AMISOM contingent to take the lead in coordinating security for the National Reconciliation Congress through the Joint Security Mechanism. -- We further recognize that the UPDF/AMISOM cannot guarantee nor provide security for each of the 900 participants. We want AMISOM to not only participate, but serve as the chairman of the JSM. As such, AMISOM needs to convene and begin the JSM process to coordinate security for the NRC. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶6. (U) Please report results of this effort via front-channel cable to AF/RSA Mike Bittrick and AF/E Nole Garey by Tuesday, July 31. Please include Embassy Nairobi as info addressee. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶7. (U) Please contact AF/E Nole Garey at (202) 647-8284 or via e-mail for any further background information or argumentation to meet our objectives. RICE