USAU: MEETING BETWEEN AMBASSADOR COURVILLE AND MR.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000131

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA (JOHN KELLEY)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2013
TAGS: KPKO MARR PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: USAU: MEETING BETWEEN AMBASSADOR COURVILLE AND MR.
NICOLAS BWAKIRA, AFRICAN UNION (AU) SPEICAL REPRESENTATIVE
TO SOMALIA

Classified By: AMBASSADOR CINDY L. COURVILLE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D
)


1. (U) SUMMARY: On 10 January 2008, AMB Courville met with
Mr. Nicolas Bwakira, AU Special Representative to Somalia to
discuss the development of a roadmap for the way ahead in
Somalia.


2. (U) PARTICIPANTS: AMB Cindy Courville, AU Special
Representative to Somalia Mr. Nicolas Bwakira, USAU Liaison
Officer Col Stewart LeBlanc and AU/UNDP political analyst Mr.
Olabisi Dare.


3. (C) DISCUSSION: The discussion focused on that it is
imperative that a roadmap for the way ahead in Somalia,
complete with milestones and timelines, be put in writing and
presented to the UN Security Council soon. The AU realizes
that a roadmap cannot be developed in isolation and would
like to pursue a joint effort with the UN. The goal is to
develop an integrated approach aimed at improving political,
humanitarian, military and economic capacity in Somalia in
partnership not only with the UN but eventually with other
stakeholders such as the TCCs, Perm Reps and potential
partners. The question was raised about U.S. policy with
respect to piracy in and around Somali territorial waters.


4. (C) Although often criticized by Partner nations, there
was general agreement that the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) offered the greatest hope for success in
Somalia. It is important that we build upon what is already
in place rather than trying to develop a new entity to govern
in Somalia. The TFG must be acceptable to parliament or it
will have no chance of survival. The TFG,s problems stem
from the fact that it does not do a good job of outreach to
the people of Somalia or to the international community.


5. (C) Bwakira emphasized the need for an acceptable roadmap
that would include the following components and identify the
top three priorities for each:
- A program for increasing public outreach (broadcasting
intentions)
- A strategy for ensuring safety and security on the
streets of Mogadishu
- Demonstrate overt signs of a functioning government
such as providing essential community services, operating
airports and a functioning court system
- A long-term plan for dealing with displace persons
Such a roadmap would not only encourage the increased
confidence and support of partners but it would also provide
leverage if the TFG failed to act.


6. (C) Bwakira stressed that the UN Security Council must
view the Somalia problem as a world problem. The alternative
to failure is a return to the rule of the warlords and the
Union of Islamic Courts. The hope is that the international
community led by the U.S. will shame the individuals and
external actors that continue to work against resolving the
crisis in Somalia


7. (C) NEXT STEPS:
- AMB Courville will check with AMB Yates and AMB Frazer
to determine when the ICG will take place, who will be
invited and why South Africa was not invited to join
- AMB Courville will inform AMB Frazer of the suggestion
to hold a meeting between UN/DPKO reps and the TCCs,
partners, Perm Reps and potential donors reference the roadmap
YAMAMOTO