DJIBOUTI EAC MEETING

S E C R E T DJIBOUTI 001123 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/09/16 TAGS: ASEC DJ MOPS PTER SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI EAC MEETING CLASSIFIED BY: Michael R Lombardo, RSO, State, RSO; REASON: 1.4(D), (G) ¶1. (C) On September 15, 2009, core members of Djibouti's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met to discuss possible security implications to U.S interests in Djibouti from wide-spread media reports of a missile strike in Somalia that killed senior al-Shabaab commander Saleh Nabhan. The EAC was led by the Ambassador and attended by DCM, RSO, ORA, DATT, PD, POL/ECON, CONS and representatives from AFRICOM's Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Coordination Element (CJTF-HOA-CCE). ¶2. (S/NF) The Ambassador informed the EAC on the media reports of a September 14 air strike in Somalia which reportedly killed Nabhan. Press reports had indicated that the strike was carried out by U.S. military personnel launched from U.S. Navy ships off the coast of Somalia. There has been no public connection between the strike and the U.S. military personnel based at Camp Lemonier, the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa, or the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti. There has not been any indication of anti-U.S. sentiment in Djibouti since the strike, and most Djiboutians seemed focused on the upcoming celebrations for Eid-al-Fitr. ¶3. (S/NF) It was the EAC's assessment that an immediate retaliatory attack against U.S. interests in Djibouti is unlikely and that no significant adjustment to our already high security posture is needed. In addition, RSO and ORA would closely coordinate with their GODJ counterparts to insure that any threat information they receive is quickly shared with the Embassy. Embassy personnel have already been briefed to increase their awareness in consideration of Eid-al Fitr, which is expected to start either September 19 or 20. RSO also alerted LGF and Surveillance Detection (SD) personnel to the reported death of Nabhan and the possible long-term impact to the U.S. Embassy. The LGF and the host government police, who secure the outer perimeter, were already on an increased alert level due to Eid-al-Fitr related events in the area. Post's EAC will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our posture as needed. ¶4. (C) The EAC agreed that no Nabhan-related Warden Message was needed. However, CONS advised that a Warden Message is being drafted that addresses the upcoming Eid-al-Fitr holiday. ¶5. (U) Point of contact for this report is RSO Michael R. Lombardo, (253) 353-995, IVG 597 2307. SWAN