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

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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