AU COMMISSIONER PROPOSES INTERIM MNF FOR SOMALIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000557 SIPDIS IO AND AF FOR FRONT OFFICE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SU KDEM UNSC SO SUBJECT: AU COMMISSIONER PROPOSES INTERIM MNF FOR SOMALIA Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 B/D. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: AMB Khalilzad met African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, June 18 to discuss AU/UN cooperation in Sudan and Somalia. Khalilzad asked Lamamra to use AU influence with Sudan to expedite the deployment of UNAMID forces and increase the effectiveness of forces already deployed. Lamamra acknowledged that the AU has an important role in this regard. Khalilzad reiterated the U.S. commitment to put a UN Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia. Lamamra discussed potential TCCs, a plan for the withdraw of Ethiopian forces, and their replacement with an interim Multinational Force (MNF) until the conditions are right for the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission. END SUMMARY. -------------- Sudan -------------- ¶2. (C) AMB Khalilzad met AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, June 18 to discuss AU and UN cooperation in Sudan and Somalia. Khalilzad expressed Security Council (SC) dissatisfaction with the political leadership of UNAMID forces and the overall effectiveness of these forces. He made clear that the Council wants the AU to use its influence with Sudan to gain increased compliance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Lamamra agreed that helping UNAMID deal with difficulties posed by Khartoum is one of the AU's roles in the region. Khalilzad and Lamamra discussed the frequent disrespect shown to Special Envoy Rudolphe Adada by Khartoum and how he should demand the respect afforded to the Secretary General on whose behalf he speaks. Khalilzad suggested to Lamamra that Khartoum's dismissive treatment of Adada signals that President Bashir does not take the AU or the UN seriously. Khalilzad and Lamamra agreed that the UNAMID mandate renewal in July would present another opportunity for the Council to become more involved with the Sudanese government in negotiating the deployment of UNAMID forces. -------------- Somalia -------------- ¶3. (C) Lamamra told Khalilzad the UN needs to help Ethiopian forces withdraw from Somalia as soon as a competent replacement force is available. Lamamra suggested the possibility of another AU/UN hybrid force, but Khalilzad made it clear that the Darfur hybrid force should not be considered a model. Lamamra also asked the Council to start building an interim MNF that would eventually be replaced by a UN Peacekeeping Operation (PKO). Lamamra thought Turkey would be a "perfect candidate" to contribute to an interim MNF for Somalia due to an expected increase in strategic cooperation between the AU and Turkey after a successful meeting between the two in August. Lamamra listed India as a potential TCC for an interim MNF. Khalilzad reminded Lamamra that the U.S. is a proponent of a UN PKO in Somalia and that we want to help strengthen AMISOM in the meantime. Khalilzad