ETHIOPIA-PUNTLAND ENHANCE SECURITY COOPERATION

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000420 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/E , AND INR/AA LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2018 TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SO ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA-PUNTLAND ENHANCE SECURITY COOPERATION Classified By: Amb. Donald Yamamoto for Reasons: 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY. Puntland President Mohamud Muse Hersi and his security chief, Abdullahi Said, told Ambassador February 16 that Puntland and Ethiopia have a security cooperation arrangement for training and information sharing. Further, the President noted that Puntland is committed to fighting extremism, values its ties with the U.S., and seeks U.S. assistance and equipment to enhance its capabilities in bringing security to the region. President Hersi said coordination between his security forces and Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 naval ships to attack pirates and extremist camps in Puntland would be helpful in bringing stability to Puntland and Somalia. Ransom payments to pirates, who are associated with extremist groups, was undercutting the security of the area and enhancing the capabilities of the extremists to destabilize Puntland and other neighboring states. He also noted that greater pressure on Eritrea would help stem the flow of money and arms to extremist elements. Finally, he praised the new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Prime Minister Nur and said a federal Somali government could be helpful in stabilizing Somalia and denying extremists space to operate in Somalia. END SUMMARY. -------------- PUNTLAND IS A RELIABLE PARTNER -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Puntland President Mohamud Muse Hersi, security chief Abdullahi Said, and regional diplomat Omar Sharmarke told Ambassador in a private meeting in Addis Ababa that Puntland is a reliable partner on counter terrorism. It has worked closely with the U.S. on recent operations, but wishes to have a more expansive and comprehensive relationship. President Hersi noted that Puntland can be a stronger partner through training and equipment provided by the U.S. He expressed his deep appreciation for the small training program they receive now from the U.S. and urged that such training of the police and security force be expanded, noting such an expansion would be welcome by Puntland. -------------- -- PUNTLAND IS A TERRORIST TARGET, PIRACY PROBLEMS -------------- -- ¶3. (S/NF) Abdullahi said extremists are clearly targeting 
Puntland. He cited the recent grenade attack in Bossasso of an Ethiopian restaurant that killed 17 Ethiopians, mostly from the Harar and Somalia regions of Ethiopia. Ten people have already been captured. Abdullahi noted that they were recent arrivals from Mogadishu and targeted Ethiopian port workers as part of a larger effort by extremists to attack Ethiopian presence in Somalia. ¶4. (S/NF) A critical problem is piracy. Key leaders of the piracy operations have ties to extremists, especially former Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) leader Aweys. The ransom recently paid by Taiwan and other states to free its hijacked ships will only embolden and strengthen the piracy operations. The pirates are better armed and growing in strength, attracting unemployed Puntlanders desperate for jobs. The pirates are very mobile with their fast moving boats and lethal with a variety of arms and weapons. To contain and eliminate the pirates, President Hersi recommended cooperation with CTF 150. Naval ships could bomb suspected bases of pirates and terrorists as well as disable their fast ships. In coordination with Puntland security forces, these bases could be eliminated. -------------- TERRORIST NETWORK ROUTE -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Hersi and Abdullahi noted that an arms and money network flows from Asmara through Djibouti to Ethiopia or Mogadishu bypassing Somaliland and Puntland. To break this route, Hersi suggested a tougher approach to Eritrea to cut off its money supply and ability to ship arms to the region. Djibouti also has become a passage way for extremists. Hersi opined that Eritrean pressure on Djibouti, based on ADDIS ABAB 00000420 002 OF 002 diplomatic relations and visits by Eritrean officials, including President Isaias, have made it easier to transit Djibouti to Somalia for extremist groups operating in Ethiopia. Hersi and Abdullhai even suggested that some couriers or supporters of Aweys have obtained Djiboutian passports. Ambassador requested proof and information on their assumptions. Hersi also noted that Djibouti can be helpful in stabilizing Somalia. ¶6. (S/NF) Somaliland, Hersi stated, will be difficult in cutting off the terrorist route. President Dahir Kahin Riyale belongs to a small clan and was a compromise candidate for President. Hersi foresees possible violence in the upcoming elections in Somaliland should the main clans not be able to agree on a next leader. Instability in Somaliland will afford extremists greater flexibility in transporting arms and money through Somaliland. In Puntland, the terrorist network is able to function because of the lack of capability of the Puntland security force. Hersi stated emphatically that it is more cost effective to train and equip Puntland forces to deal with the problem. Further, information sharing and cooperation will help Puntland enhance its capabilities in covering the vast areas of Puntland and especially the long coastline which is easily infiltrated by extremist groups. -------------- PUNTLAND-ETHIOPIA SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS -------------- ¶7. (S/NF) Hersi said Puntland and Ethiopia have a security agreement in which Ethiopia will help train Puntland forces and expand information sharing. The problem for Puntland is the need for advanced training, follow-up training and equipment. The U.S. would be a good partner in meeting Puntland,s needs and objectives for training and equipment to supplement and enhance the training it will receive from Ethiopia. Hersi and the Ambassador discussed the possibility of Puntland forces training at camp Hurso, the former Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) camp, where Ethiopian troops are now training TFG forces. Hersi said this is being considered but added that the U.S. is important for providing additional training and equipment. ¶8. (S/NF) Hersi also opined that security can best be enhanced through a more stable Somali state. He praised the newly selected Prime Minister Nur and his efforts to be inclusive of the other clans. Hersi added that a federal Somali government would help bring the other Somali clans into the government and enhance cooperation and coordination. A federal state would help strengthen the TFG yet give enough local autonomy to states like Puntland to control its own security forces to deal with specific security threats. An effective federal state would also help cut off linkages between extremist groups in Mogadishu with its branches in Puntland and other areas. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶9. (S/NF) Ambassador assured President Hersi that the U.S. is not considering recognition nor were any special deals concluded during the recent visit to Washington by Somaliland President Kahin Riyale. Hersi said he would look forward to a visit, his first as President, to the U.S. to outline his proposals for enhancing security and to explain Puntland,s importance to U.S. counter terrorism efforts in the region. Such a visit would be beneficial in addressing the piracy problem and underscore Puntland,s contributions in its cooperation with the U.S. It would also give us an opportunity to discuss in detail Puntland,s future. Presidential elections come up in early 2009 and it is unclear if Hersi, who is not in the best of health, will seek a second four-year term. END COMMENT. YAMAMOTO