AFRICOM CIVIL AFFAIRS TEAM'S SUCCESS ON THE

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000868 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E TREADWELL & AF/RSA BITTRICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PGOV TZ SUBJECT: AFRICOM CIVIL AFFAIRS TEAM'S SUCCESS ON THE SWAHILI COAST REF: A. DAR ES SAL 236 ¶B. DAR ES SAL 235 ¶1. U.S. Mission Tanzania's fourth iteration Civil Affairs Team (January-October 2009) was the first to serve entirely under AFRICOM. The team directly reported to AFRICOM's base in Djibouti (CJTF-HOA). This five member team was led by Captain Bernice Logan. Her team consisted of three U.S. Army Staff Sergeants and one Tanzanian Peoples Defense Force Captain. Over a nine month stint, they made tremendous gains for the Tanzanian-American partnership on the northern stretch of Tanzania's Swahili Coast. This is a sensitive area where extremist networks are known to operate, although the vast majority of the population are peaceful. REFTELS cover our previous reporting on CJTF-HOA civil affairs activities. This message contains lessons learned from this exceptionally successful deployment. ¶2. Certain Tanzanian opinion leaders unfriendly to the United States and hostile toward the United States military have largely succeeded in giving the name "AFRICOM" sinister connotations in the public mind. This no longer holds true on the northern Swahili coast. Political, administrative, civil society and religious leaders in that predominantly Muslim region loudly and consistently proclaim their appreciation for AFRICOM/CJTF-HOA's civil affairs team, both for what they have achieved (see below) and for the way they achieved it. The success of this team's nine-month deployment holds lessons for other civil affairs teams to consider. ¶3. Lesson 1: Coordinate with relevant U.S. Mission offices by working closely with the liaison element at the U.S. Embassy. This team was ably supported by a strong AFRICOM/CJTF-HOA liaison element at the U.S. Embassy. The liaison office enabled the civil affairs team to practice the 3D concept: defense, development, diplomacy. They sought and received project proposal technical reviews from USAID/Tanzania. In some instances they conducted joint projects with USAID/Tanzania. For example, the team built a school and USAID/Tanzania provided the desks. They sought and received U.S. Mission introductions to the senior civilian leadership in the region, getting them off to a strong start in forming collaborative relationships with the regional leadership. They always included senior U.S. Mission leadership in project dedication ceremonies and worked with the U.S. Mission's public affairs section to publicize these events. ¶4. Lesson 2: Emphasize the local military component of the civil affairs team. They fully incorporated into all team deliberations the Tanzanian military officer assigned to work with them. He became their Swahili teacher, cultural guide, full partner and friend. His introductions to local officials and community leaders was vital to securing cooperation. As a team member pointed out, "if a foreign military unit entered a small town in the United States, even with the best of intentions and a sincere desire to be helpful, the local population would react with suspicion and likely outright hostility. If they were introduced by an American military officer, then the reception would be much better. Why should we expect things to be any different here?" ¶5. Lesson 3: Get to know the language, the culture and the people in the region. All team members developed some Swahili language fluency. Two team members became proficient. They moved easily around Tanga (the regional capital and site of their residence -- a six hour drive from Dar es Salaam). They developed friendships and acquaintances throughout the town. They had the option of barricading themselves in their house, playing computer games and watching DVDs. Instead, they got out and about; getting to know the people they were sent to serve. This was seen and appreciated by the people and leadership of the region. ¶6. Lesson 4: Cultivate the local leadership. The team regularly consulted political, administrative, civil society and Muslim religious leaders in the northern Swahili coast region. They always invited these leaders to attend project inaugurations. The guidance they received was valuable. The goodwill toward the team generated by treating the local leadership with respect was even more valuable. ¶7. Lesson 5: Augment resources through the generosity of the American people. Team members inspired communities in the United States to support their efforts, through initiatives like a children's shoes drive, book donations and a student pen pal program. ¶8. Lesson 6: Volunteer. Team members regularly volunteered at a local HIV/AIDS orphanage and at various community service events. They started an English speakers discussion group to help local Tanzanians learning English. They distributed 9,500 books to 35 schools across the region. ¶9. So what exactly did this team achieve, aside from goodwill in a sensitive area where extremist networks operate? -- The team ensured well conceived construction and civic action projects were correctly submitted for nomination and funding. They also helped provide critical coordination, planning, compliance and oversight of these projects which consisted of medical and veterinary care, school and clinic construction and water resource development. -- The team managed two million dollars worth of construction projects: 3 medical clinics, 5 schools and 15 water wells. -- In collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries the team facilitated the coordination and execution of two veterinarian civic action program projects (VETCAP). Tanzanian and U.S. military veterinarians trained together to provide animal treatment, inoculation services, livestock heath initiatives, and minor surgical procedures. These initiatives helped improve the health of livestock in over 20 villages in the region. -- The team supported two medical civic action program projects (MEDCAP) which provided medical treatment and preventative medicine training to 12 villages. The team also helped coordinate and plan a malaria train the trainer seminar that consisted of U.S. military doctors training Tanzania medical professionals in methods for diagnosis, improved prevention, control and ultimate elimination of malaria. -- The team also commenced the first civil affairs activity on Pemba Island, an area whose population is 99% Muslim and is politically and culturally disenfranchised. During their orientation to Pemba, the team encouraged Pemba officials to contact their Tanga counterparts to inquire about the work the team had achieved there, confident that the good reports would ease the minds of the Pemba officials about having a U.S. military team on their island. ¶10. We understand that the future role of AFRICOM civil affairs teams is being debated in Washington, Stuttgart and Djibouti. As regards Tanzania, their performance has produced a big win for our partnership with the Tanzanian people. We sent a DVD containing photos of the civil affairs team's work to AF/E desk officer Justine Treadwell. LENHARDT