AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP STATION INPUT FY09 - MOZAMBIQUE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 000869 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFIN MARR MASS MOPS PREL SUBJECT: AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP STATION INPUT FY09 - MOZAMBIQUE REF: SECSTATE 75639 1.(SBU) Mozambique's inability to effectively provide for maritime safety and security (MSS) within its exclusive economic zone and territorial waters has significant impact on U.S. bilateral and regional objectives and interests. Ineffective MSS results in slower economic development, increased criminal activity, and environmental degradation. -------------- APS SUPPORTS MOZAMBIQUE'S CAPACITY BUILDING -------------- 2.(SBU) U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) support, increasing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA),advancing safety and security capabilities, and enhancing response capacity, in partnership with the Government of Mozambique, will significantly improve MSS. AFRICOM and NAVAF can support Mozambican efforts to develop these capabilities through the African Partnership Station (APS). -------------- INNOVATIVE FUNDING EFFORTS REQUIRED -------------- 3.(SBU) Funding challenges limit efforts to train, advise, assist and equip Mozambique to better address its maritime sector shortfalls. As a result, assistance must employ innovative funding mechanisms, leverage all theater security cooperation programs, harmonize with other donor efforts, and collaborate with partners. -------------- GOAL: CONTROL OF MARITIME DOMAIN -------------- 4.(SBU) The goal is for Mozambique to control its maritime domain within 5 to 10 years. Control of its maritime domain would include limitation of commercial smuggling, reduction in trafficking of drugs and persons, and control over illegal fishing. The goal would be achieved though the creation of a self-sustaining Navy, manned according to its mission, positioned appropriately within the country with sufficient command and control, maintenance support and adequate facilities to support operations. -------------- ASSESSMENT AND COLLABORATION -------------- 5.(SBU) To begin, AFRICOM and NAVAF, in collaboration with other interested U.S. and Mozambican governmental agencies, non-government organizations and institutions, should send a team to assess the maritime safety and security capability/requirements as well as professionals to assist the Government of Mozambique develop/refine its National Maritime Strategy. The outcome of this work will shape future capacity building efforts for the Mozambican Navy. -------------- SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE CURRENT CAPABILITIES -------------- 6.(SBU) While the assessment and collaboration is ongoing, AFRICOM and NAVAF can send Mobile Training Teams (MTT) and Expeditionary Partnership Teams (EPT) to Mozambique to focus on sustaining current capabilities. This would include training to develop a culture of maintenance for existing small boats and communications systems, and providing tools, manuals, maintenance systems, and repair parts. Additionally, training on weapons, small boat operations and maritime combat operations would sustain the Mozambican Navy's capability to conduct maritime patrols. Ship visits and ship riders can complement, but not substitute for, the effectiveness of MTT/EPTs. -------------- DEVELOP NAVY PROFESSIONALS -------------- 7.(SBU) AFRICOM and NAVAF can support Mozambican efforts to develop maritime professionals by engaging all levels of the Mozambican Navy with MTTs, EPTs, Professional Military Education (PME) opportunities, military exchanges, and ship visits/ship riders. At the institutional level, the development of ethics and values, respect for civilian authority and human rights must be fostered. Growing capable mid-level professionals through U.S. Navy professional military education would increase operational expertise and inculcate future Navy leaders with common values while enhancing substantial relationships. At the entry level, MAPUTO 00000869 002 OF 002 Navy exchanges with the Samora Machel Military Academy provide a unique opportunity to influence future Navy officers. -------------- -------------- SMALL SCALE IMPROVEMENTS TO MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- -------------- 8.(SBU) Years of neglect have resulted in deterioration of the infrastructure that supports the Mozambican Navy. AFRICOM and NAVAF assistance is needed to renovate and rehabilitate the maritime safety and security infrastructure. The Navy bases outside Maputo are seriously dilapidated and barely able to support operations. In many cases, they do not have piers, quays, or boat ramps to support small boat operations. These small scale projects could be constructed by the SEABEEs. -------------- INCREASE MDA CAPABILITY/C4I ARCHITECTURE -------------- 9.(SBU) Mozambican MDA is already benefiting from the installation of Automatic Information System (AIS) in five locations along the coast. Future efforts should focus on continuing to build MDA, C4I architecture and information sharing systems. Additionally, supporting conferences which provide regional forums to discuss maritime issues such as the East Africa South West Indian Ocean region would complement existing African indigenous institutional efforts. Chapman