Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NAIROBI1906
2008-08-06 14:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - A POLITICAL STALEMATE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHNR #1906 2191418 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061418Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEPVAA/COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7337
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001906
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINS SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - A POLITICAL STALEMATE
REF: A. NAIROBI 1895
B. NAIROBI 1900
C. NAIROBI 1885
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph F. Trimble, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001906
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINS SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - A POLITICAL STALEMATE
REF: A. NAIROBI 1895
B. NAIROBI 1900
C. NAIROBI 1885
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph F. Trimble, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Days after several ministers supporting President
Abdulahi Yusuf resigned in protest from Prime Minister Nur
Hassan Hussein's cabinet (reftels A and B),our contacts tell
us the political fight between the Prime Minister and
President Yusuf has evolved into a resentful, but less
bellicose stalemate between the two sides. Those around
Yusuf and the PM are encouraging them to talk to one another.
The President's Intelligence Chief Mohamed Warsame Farah
"Darwish," not known for his peacemaking, claims to be
counseling dialogue, according to one of our contacts. The
Hawiye Traditional and Unity Council (HTUC) is reportedly
mobilizing Hawiye leaders in support of the Prime Minister's
dismissal of Dheere who they see as a major impediment to
peace within the TFG (reftel C). The HTUC also is
encouraging the PM to mend his relationship with Yusuf in the
interest of moving forward on the Djibouti Agreement. UN
Special Representative for the Secretary General Ahmedou
Ould-Abdullah told the Ambassador President Yusuf has calmed
down. There is a sense among observers that, now that heads
have cooled, there is an opportunity for detente.
2. (SBU) Both sides are still grappling with the political
fallout. On August 6 the Prime Minister's office confirmed
to us the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Justice Salim Aliyow Ibrow (Digil and Mirifle). This
brings the total confirmed cabinet resignations to four.
Another bone of contention, the status of Benaadir Governor
and Mogadishu Mayor Mohammed Umar Habeb, aka Mohammed Dheere,
remains unresolved. While Yusuf says Mohammed Dheere is
still the governor, the Prime Minister has already named
Dheere's replacement.
3. (SBU) Several possibly contentious issues lie ahead.
Resigned Gender Development Minister Khadija Mohamud Diriye
was a TFG delegate to the Djibouti Agreement's important High
Level Committee; she'll have to be replaced, and President
Yusuf and Prime Minister Hussein might use that window to
re-ignite debate over the committee members. To date, the
TFG has been unable to produce a list of the delegates that
were to accompany the ARS on a mission to Europe and the
United States to "sell" the agreement. Likewise, if Mohammed
Dheere's situation is not resolved carefully, there could be
another flare-up.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINS SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - A POLITICAL STALEMATE
REF: A. NAIROBI 1895
B. NAIROBI 1900
C. NAIROBI 1885
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph F. Trimble, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Days after several ministers supporting President
Abdulahi Yusuf resigned in protest from Prime Minister Nur
Hassan Hussein's cabinet (reftels A and B),our contacts tell
us the political fight between the Prime Minister and
President Yusuf has evolved into a resentful, but less
bellicose stalemate between the two sides. Those around
Yusuf and the PM are encouraging them to talk to one another.
The President's Intelligence Chief Mohamed Warsame Farah
"Darwish," not known for his peacemaking, claims to be
counseling dialogue, according to one of our contacts. The
Hawiye Traditional and Unity Council (HTUC) is reportedly
mobilizing Hawiye leaders in support of the Prime Minister's
dismissal of Dheere who they see as a major impediment to
peace within the TFG (reftel C). The HTUC also is
encouraging the PM to mend his relationship with Yusuf in the
interest of moving forward on the Djibouti Agreement. UN
Special Representative for the Secretary General Ahmedou
Ould-Abdullah told the Ambassador President Yusuf has calmed
down. There is a sense among observers that, now that heads
have cooled, there is an opportunity for detente.
2. (SBU) Both sides are still grappling with the political
fallout. On August 6 the Prime Minister's office confirmed
to us the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Justice Salim Aliyow Ibrow (Digil and Mirifle). This
brings the total confirmed cabinet resignations to four.
Another bone of contention, the status of Benaadir Governor
and Mogadishu Mayor Mohammed Umar Habeb, aka Mohammed Dheere,
remains unresolved. While Yusuf says Mohammed Dheere is
still the governor, the Prime Minister has already named
Dheere's replacement.
3. (SBU) Several possibly contentious issues lie ahead.
Resigned Gender Development Minister Khadija Mohamud Diriye
was a TFG delegate to the Djibouti Agreement's important High
Level Committee; she'll have to be replaced, and President
Yusuf and Prime Minister Hussein might use that window to
re-ignite debate over the committee members. To date, the
TFG has been unable to produce a list of the delegates that
were to accompany the ARS on a mission to Europe and the
United States to "sell" the agreement. Likewise, if Mohammed
Dheere's situation is not resolved carefully, there could be
another flare-up.
RANNEBERGER