USAU: NEW AMISOM FORCE COMMANDER REQUESTS USG

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002071 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/E NSC FOR MGAVIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2019 TAGS: MASS MCAP PREL AU SUBJECT: USAU: NEW AMISOM FORCE COMMANDER REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE REF: ADDIS ABABA 2061 Classified By: CDA ROGER MEECE, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (U) This cable contains an Action Request. See para 12. ¶2. (C) Summary: The new AMISOM Force Commander, Major General Nathan Mugisha, took advantage of the presence of AFRICOM senior leadership in Addis Ababa on August 20 to request patrol craft, radar, US training in maritime interdiction operations, US technical evaluation of Djiboutian-trained Somali Security Forces (SSF),and airlift for newly pledged units and a rotating Ugandan battle group. While satisfied with his mandate and rules of engagement, the new commander is eager to increase AMISOM's troop strength and expand the coalition beyond Ugandan and Burundian contributions. In his concept of operations, most new units would be used to replace Ugandan troops who are engaged in static defense, freeing them up to expand AMISOM's area of operations and train SSF in place. Mugisha also thanked the USG for its past support to AMISOM, and lauded the humanitarian efforts of Diana Sufian whose medical donations have done so much to provide not only desperately needed medical support to Mogadishu residents, but have also improved civil-military relations. End Summary. ¶3. (C) AFRICOM Commander General Ward and CJTF-HOA Deputy Commander Brigadier General Leins met separately with the new AMISOM leadership on the margins of the AFRICOM's second annual Academic Symposium organized by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on August 20. Newly appointed AMISOM Commander Major General Mugisha (UPDF) was accompanied by his new Deputy Commander, Burundian Major General Cyprien Hakiza, as well as the Deputy Special Representative for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC),Wafula Wamunyinyi. ¶4. (C) In the meeting with BG Leins, Mugisha expressed gratitude for past CJTF-HOA support and made several requests for US assistance. Mugisha explained AMISOM's vulnerability at sea, especially along the approaches to Mogadishu Airport and in the immediate vicinity of the harbor. Mugisha stated the seas are too heavy at this time of the year for USG-provided rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) and suggested that almost two years of maritime operations have taken their toll on the small vessels. Mugisha said that AMISOM forces are relegated to firing warning shots on suspicious vessels, in lieu of actively patrolling, boarding, and searching them. The Force Commander requested radar for detection, and larger patrol craft for interdiction; he also requested US training for AMISOM boat operators. (Note: The mission and the maritime environment demand larger, Boston Whaler type patrol craft at least 30 feet in length and with a 11-12 foot beam. End note.) ¶5. (C) Mugisha reiterated a formal request (previously submitted August 4 by the AU Commission via diplomatic note) for airlift to replace UGABAG 3 with UGABAG 4, which has been in theater approximately one year. Besides this troop rotation, Mugisha asked that 800 SSF be flown to Uganda for training. ¶6. (C) The Force Commander also repeated a request for airlift of two additional battalions (one each from Burundi and Uganda),and briefed his plan to expand AMISOM's operational area should these battalions be deployed to Mogadishu. Mugisha indicated that it was critical that AMISOM have these additional forces if the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is to succeed, but lamented that so far the TFG has failed to take advantage of the time and space purchased by AMISOM's July offensive. (Note: Diplomatic note requesting support for Burundi's fourth battalion was forwarded to AF/RSA on June 25. End note.) ¶7. (C) Mugisha advocated for the deployment of Djiboutian troops, stating that even two platoons would be helpful both operationally and politically. Regarding the SSF currently being trained by the Djiboutian military, the Force Commander asked that CJTF-HOA help evaluate their readiness so that he might know when it is appropriate to return those forces to Mogadishu for employment. (Note: Whether he was discussing the newly pledged Burundian battalion, a small Djiboutian ADDIS ABAB 00002071 002 OF 002 contribution, or SSF trained abroad, it appeared that their primary purpose would be to free up Ugandan troops who are engaged in static defense and allow them to increase their combat patrols and train Somali forces in theater. End note.) ¶8. (C) In his meeting with General Ward, Mugisha focused more on the lack of small unit leaders in the SSF, specifically non-commissioned officers, platoon leaders, and company commanders, and asked that AFRICOM explore ways to correct this shortfall. Mugisha stated he has assembled a cadre of 40 trainers, 20 each from the Burundian and Ugandan armed forces, to begin training in Mogadishu, but implied that he will require at least monetary support for this endeavor. ¶9. (C) The Force Commander repeated his frustration with the TFG's inability to take advantage of recent AMISOM gains, and exploit an enemy he characterized as weak, divided, and suffering from re-supply problems. He thanked the US for its provision of a FM radio transmitter that will now allow the TFG to broadcast its objectives and accomplishments, as well as mitigate misinformation propagated by the extremist-dominated media in Mogadishu. ¶10. (C) General Mugisha was effusive in his praise of Diana Sufian's Nour International Relief Association, claiming the medicines that she donated have allowed AMISOM doctors to treat 300,000 Somalis. This medical outreach has produced not only humanitarian benefits for a suffering population, but also demonstrates that AMISOM is an ally of the Somali people; medical outreach has also resulted in AMISOM getting information on enemy plans and capabilities. ¶11. (C) The Deputy SRCC informed General Ward that the AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping had recently taken the decision to deploy at least a portion of AMISOM's civilian mission management from Nairobi to Mogadishu. While necessary and long-overdue, the Force Commander implied that this deployment would also generate more support requirements including additional armored vehicles, escort personnel, food, fuel, and medicines. ¶12. (C) Action Request: The AU has made several formal requests for USG support to AMISOM in recent months (USAU will resend aforementioned diplomatic notes to AF/RSA for follow-up). Prompt guidance and replies from Washington would allow USAU to be responsive to the AU, or at the very least manage its expectations on the following: -Strategic airlift for UGABAG 3 rotation; -Strategic airlift for 800 SSF from Mogadishu to Entebbe; -Equipment and airlift for Burundi's fourth (pledged) battalion; -Improved maritime capability (Boston Whalers, radar, and associated training); -US military evaluation of Djiboutian-trained SSF. MEECE