Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA2856
2009-12-07 05:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
SOMALI REGIONAL PRESIDENT'S VISA DELAY PERCEIVED
how-toVZCZCXRO8986 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHDS #2856/01 3410518 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 070518Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7037 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002856
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, CA/VO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL CVIS ET
SUBJECT: SOMALI REGIONAL PRESIDENT'S VISA DELAY PERCEIVED
AS POLITICAL MESSAGE
REF: ADDIS ABABA 1797
Classified By: CDA Roger A. Meece for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002856
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, CA/VO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL CVIS ET
SUBJECT: SOMALI REGIONAL PRESIDENT'S VISA DELAY PERCEIVED
AS POLITICAL MESSAGE
REF: ADDIS ABABA 1797
Classified By: CDA Roger A. Meece for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) An ongoing delay in the issuance of a visa to Somali
Regional State President Dawed Mohammed has been interpreted
in the region as U.S. condemnation of his alleged
participation in human rights abuses. Ethiopia's ethnic
Somali population has largely welcomed this action, viewing
it as a criticism of Government of Ethiopia (GoE)
counter-insurgency measures. Dawed's effectiveness has
reportedly been damaged as a result. End summary.
Background
--------------
2. (SBU) On September 22, 2009, Dawed Mohammed Ali, president
of Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, and five of his advisors
applied for a non-immigrant visa to travel to the U.S., with
the stated purpose of conducting "diplomatic work." At that
time, Dawed publicly announced he planned to travel to the
U.S. According to media reports and local sources, Dawed
planned to meet with members of the Ethiopian diaspora to
confront opposition to his Somali People's Democratic Party
(SPDP, a member of the ruling coalition) and raise funds for
the same. Within one day, post's Consular section sent a
required Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) (not related to his
alleged human rights record) to the Department for
processing, and in early October, post provided additional
information on Dawed to the Visa Office (CA/VO). Post has
remained in close contact with CA/VO, which has closely
monitored this case. Dawed's visa application remains
pending.
3. (C) Dawed assumed his post one year ago, and his many
opponents view him as a puppet of the ruling Ethiopian
People's Revolutionary Democratic Front's (EPRDF) inner
circle. Although he is a member of the Somali region's
populous Ogaden clan, he was raised outside the region and
does not personally have a large political base in the
region. Post has received previous reports of a power
struggle within the regional government, and limited reports
of Dawed's direct involvement in human rights abuses in the
region (Ref A). However, Dawed has also been a strong
supporter of greater humanitarian access in the Somali
region.
Issuance Delay Interpreted as Message from U.S.
-------------- --
4. (C) During a November 23-25 visit to the Somali region,
several sources told PolOff that the prevailing public
opinion there is that the U.S. refused to grant Dawed a visa
because of his involvement in human rights abuses. (Note:
Although Dawed's application remains pending, the perception
after more than two months is that he has been denied. End
note.) In the Somali region, where there has long been a
perception that the U.S. supports GoE abuses in the name of
combating terrorism, the perceived denial has been viewed
extremely favorably. In addition to the sense that justice
has been served, this action is also seen as a change in U.S.
policy toward the GoE's counter-insurgency actions.
5. (C) Abdi Aden (protect),Mercy Corps Program Coordinator
and a former USAID advisor, told PolOff that the perception
that the U.S. is anti-Dawed has weakened Dawed's authority
and limited his effectiveness to the point that he may soon
be replaced. (Note: The regional president is chosen by the
Regional Council, which is dominated by the EPRDF. End
note). Farah Omer Beto (protect),Director of the UN Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Somali
region, suggested that the level of distrust between Dawed
and military commanders in the region had increased of late,
with the power balance tilting further away from Dawed.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Not considering the merits of Dawed's visa
application, his public announcement of a trip to the U.S.,
combined with his inability to secure a visa for over two
months, has damaged his credibility in the region. Both the
public and the GoE appear to have interpreted the delay in
issuance as U.S. disapproval of Dawed, with the public
ADDIS ABAB 00002856 002 OF 002
cheering and the GoE reconsidering Dawed's fitness to serve
in his position. If Dawed's visa is eventually approved,
public opinion of the U.S. among inhabitants of the Somali
region (which has been bolstered by the perceived denial)
will likely be negatively impacted. In any event, this delay
in visa issuance has impacted power dynamics and public
opinion in the region.
MEECE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, CA/VO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL CVIS ET
SUBJECT: SOMALI REGIONAL PRESIDENT'S VISA DELAY PERCEIVED
AS POLITICAL MESSAGE
REF: ADDIS ABABA 1797
Classified By: CDA Roger A. Meece for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) An ongoing delay in the issuance of a visa to Somali
Regional State President Dawed Mohammed has been interpreted
in the region as U.S. condemnation of his alleged
participation in human rights abuses. Ethiopia's ethnic
Somali population has largely welcomed this action, viewing
it as a criticism of Government of Ethiopia (GoE)
counter-insurgency measures. Dawed's effectiveness has
reportedly been damaged as a result. End summary.
Background
--------------
2. (SBU) On September 22, 2009, Dawed Mohammed Ali, president
of Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, and five of his advisors
applied for a non-immigrant visa to travel to the U.S., with
the stated purpose of conducting "diplomatic work." At that
time, Dawed publicly announced he planned to travel to the
U.S. According to media reports and local sources, Dawed
planned to meet with members of the Ethiopian diaspora to
confront opposition to his Somali People's Democratic Party
(SPDP, a member of the ruling coalition) and raise funds for
the same. Within one day, post's Consular section sent a
required Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) (not related to his
alleged human rights record) to the Department for
processing, and in early October, post provided additional
information on Dawed to the Visa Office (CA/VO). Post has
remained in close contact with CA/VO, which has closely
monitored this case. Dawed's visa application remains
pending.
3. (C) Dawed assumed his post one year ago, and his many
opponents view him as a puppet of the ruling Ethiopian
People's Revolutionary Democratic Front's (EPRDF) inner
circle. Although he is a member of the Somali region's
populous Ogaden clan, he was raised outside the region and
does not personally have a large political base in the
region. Post has received previous reports of a power
struggle within the regional government, and limited reports
of Dawed's direct involvement in human rights abuses in the
region (Ref A). However, Dawed has also been a strong
supporter of greater humanitarian access in the Somali
region.
Issuance Delay Interpreted as Message from U.S.
-------------- --
4. (C) During a November 23-25 visit to the Somali region,
several sources told PolOff that the prevailing public
opinion there is that the U.S. refused to grant Dawed a visa
because of his involvement in human rights abuses. (Note:
Although Dawed's application remains pending, the perception
after more than two months is that he has been denied. End
note.) In the Somali region, where there has long been a
perception that the U.S. supports GoE abuses in the name of
combating terrorism, the perceived denial has been viewed
extremely favorably. In addition to the sense that justice
has been served, this action is also seen as a change in U.S.
policy toward the GoE's counter-insurgency actions.
5. (C) Abdi Aden (protect),Mercy Corps Program Coordinator
and a former USAID advisor, told PolOff that the perception
that the U.S. is anti-Dawed has weakened Dawed's authority
and limited his effectiveness to the point that he may soon
be replaced. (Note: The regional president is chosen by the
Regional Council, which is dominated by the EPRDF. End
note). Farah Omer Beto (protect),Director of the UN Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Somali
region, suggested that the level of distrust between Dawed
and military commanders in the region had increased of late,
with the power balance tilting further away from Dawed.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Not considering the merits of Dawed's visa
application, his public announcement of a trip to the U.S.,
combined with his inability to secure a visa for over two
months, has damaged his credibility in the region. Both the
public and the GoE appear to have interpreted the delay in
issuance as U.S. disapproval of Dawed, with the public
ADDIS ABAB 00002856 002 OF 002
cheering and the GoE reconsidering Dawed's fitness to serve
in his position. If Dawed's visa is eventually approved,
public opinion of the U.S. among inhabitants of the Somali
region (which has been bolstered by the perceived denial)
will likely be negatively impacted. In any event, this delay
in visa issuance has impacted power dynamics and public
opinion in the region.
MEECE