DEMARCHE: ENHANCING EFFORTS TO COMBAT PIRACY -

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000957 SIPDIS PM/ISO: J.FREDERICK AND PM/PPA: D.GLANCY E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018 TAGS: MOPS PBTS PHSA PTER DJ SO KPKO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: ENHANCING EFFORTS TO COMBAT PIRACY - DJIBOUTI SEEKS COOPERATION REF: A. SECSTATE 125514 ¶B. DJIBOUTI 950 (NOTAL) ¶C. DJIBOUTI 947 (NOTAL) Classified By: DCM ERIC WONG. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Per Ref A, Ambassador has raised USG talking points on combating Somali piracy with key Government of Djibouti principals, including Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Presidential National Security Advisor Hassan Said Khaireh, and Minister for Islamic Affairs Hamoud Abdi Sultan (whose portfolio includes Somalia issues). ¶2. (U) As reftels note, Djibouti is increasingly engaged in international efforts to combat Somali piracy, ranging from hosting military facilities from which European nations have pursued unilateral or multilateral anti-piracy patrols (e.g., Spanish P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft, the UK frigate HMS Northumberland, German frigate in support of the multinational CTF-150, French plans for the ESDP) to planning an IMO conference in late January 2009 to address legal conventions that could be used to stem piracy. ¶3. (C) According to French Ambassador Dominique DeCherf, Djibouti is coordinating with France and the EU on status of forces agreements (SOFAs) for international contingents that will be based in Djibouti to conduct anti-piracy efforts. DeCherf expects the Djiboutians to conclude the SOFAs quickly. -------------- -------------- ULTIMATELY, LAND-BASED SOLUTION IS NEEDED TO STOP PIRACY -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Djibouti's foreign minister recommends international support for formation of a 200-300 person Somali naval counter-piracy contingent, as part of a newly established Somali security force to be formed jointly (ref B) by Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS). However, in addition to supporting active naval patrols and legal frameworks, senior Djiboutian interlocutors (including the Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor) underscore the importance of "land-based" security-- specifically the ultimate need to enhance political stability within Somalia, and to strengthen Somali national institutions, in order to curtail piracy. They also stress the need for a UN peacekeeping operation to stabilize Somalia, and regret the delay in mobilizing such a force. (The Minister of Religious Affairs noted that, in contrast, the UN Security Council had quickly approved additional forces for eastern Congo.) ¶5. (U) In conjunction with the UN SRSG for Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Djibouti has played an instrumental role in supporting and hosting Somali peace talks between the TFG and the ARS. These ongoing talks have succeeded in concluding recent agreements on a cease-fire, as well as on formation of a government of national unity for Somalia. ¶6. (C) COMMENT. With its new $300 million container port due to begin operations in December, Djiboutian officials are heavily focused on maritime security. Post will continue to engage with the GODJ to promote Djibouti's support of international anti-piracy efforts. While Djibouti's political will for engagement remains robust, Djibouti's extremely limited resources (i.e., in terms of host country military assets or judicial infrastructure) limit the scope of its possible contributions outside the diplomatic sphere. END COMMENT. SWAN