Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DJIBOUTI1247
2009-10-29 15:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:
DJIBOUTI/SOMALIA - CONTRIBUTION TO AMISOM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHDJ #1247 3021557 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 291557Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0970 INFO RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA FWD RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0019 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 0001 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0071 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0014 RUEHJL/AMEMBASSY BANJUL 0001 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 0001 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0042
C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001247
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/29
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO DJ SO
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI/SOMALIA - CONTRIBUTION TO AMISOM
REF: 09 STATE 110709
CLASSIFIED BY: James Swan, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(A),(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001247
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/29
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO DJ SO
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI/SOMALIA - CONTRIBUTION TO AMISOM
REF: 09 STATE 110709
CLASSIFIED BY: James Swan, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(A),(B),(D)
1.(C) Summary: Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
confirmed Djibouti's commitment to contribute a battalion (400-450)
to AMISOM perhaps in early 2010, and to send a small number of
Somali interpreters sooner. He said an AU delegation would visit
Djibouti next week to discuss modalities for the Djiboutian
contribution. End summary.
2. (C) In an Oct. 29 meeting with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali
Youssouf, Ambassador made ref demarche urging Djibouti to fulfill
its commitment to contribute forces to AMISOM. Ambassador conveyed
USG willingness to support this deployment, noting that the ACOTA
Training Strategy Conference (TSC) is tentatively scheduled for
Dec. 7-10 in Djibouti and that the USG would also consider
providing training and equipment for the troops. Also attending
the Oct. 29 meeting were MFA Director of Bilateral Relations
Mohamed Ali Hassan, visiting USAU PermRep Michael Battle and Addis
Ababa Charge Roger Meece, and DCM Wong.
3. (C) Youssouf confirmed Djibouti's commitment to send a battalion
(est. 400-450 personnel) to AMISOM. Citing Djibouti's national
interest in promoting security in neighboring Somalia, he said
Djibouti was "committed to preventing al-Shabaab from taking over
Mogadishu." As for next steps, he said that an AU delegation
would visit Djibouti from Addis Ababa next week to "discuss
modalities" and review in detail the requirements for the troops
sought from Djibouti. Youssouf explained that the GODJ could not
focus on the AMISOM deployment until after the East Africa Standby
Force (EASBRIG) completes its Field Training Exercise (FTX) in
Djibouti November 21-25. Once detailed plans are developed,
Youssouf said he expected training of the force to take at least
"one-to-two months" and so projected deployment to Mogadishu no
sooner than early 2010. He also underscored the need for donor
assistance to provide equipment for the forces to be deployed,
noting the heavy burden borne by Djiboutian forces due to the
continued stand-off with Eritrea.
4. (C) Prior to deploying the battalion, Djibouti will also provide
a small number of interpreters as part of an "observation team" to
support AMISOM. As this does not involve a large mobilization,
these interpreters can be sent in the coming days, the Minister
said, and do not need to wait until after the FTX. While he did
not provide a date for their departure, he said specific Djiboutian
officers had been identified 2-3 weeks ago for this mission.
5. (C ) Comment: Djibouti remains committed to the AMISOM
deployment, but has not begun operational planning. The scheduled
ACOTA TSC with Djibouti will be an excellent opportunity to help
the GODJ refine its planning and requirements for the deployment.
It would be efficient if USG personnel who will be responsible for
procuring USG-funded equipment for the contingent could also travel
to Djibouti to engage host-country contacts at that conference.
SWAN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/29
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO DJ SO
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI/SOMALIA - CONTRIBUTION TO AMISOM
REF: 09 STATE 110709
CLASSIFIED BY: James Swan, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(A),(B),(D)
1.(C) Summary: Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
confirmed Djibouti's commitment to contribute a battalion (400-450)
to AMISOM perhaps in early 2010, and to send a small number of
Somali interpreters sooner. He said an AU delegation would visit
Djibouti next week to discuss modalities for the Djiboutian
contribution. End summary.
2. (C) In an Oct. 29 meeting with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali
Youssouf, Ambassador made ref demarche urging Djibouti to fulfill
its commitment to contribute forces to AMISOM. Ambassador conveyed
USG willingness to support this deployment, noting that the ACOTA
Training Strategy Conference (TSC) is tentatively scheduled for
Dec. 7-10 in Djibouti and that the USG would also consider
providing training and equipment for the troops. Also attending
the Oct. 29 meeting were MFA Director of Bilateral Relations
Mohamed Ali Hassan, visiting USAU PermRep Michael Battle and Addis
Ababa Charge Roger Meece, and DCM Wong.
3. (C) Youssouf confirmed Djibouti's commitment to send a battalion
(est. 400-450 personnel) to AMISOM. Citing Djibouti's national
interest in promoting security in neighboring Somalia, he said
Djibouti was "committed to preventing al-Shabaab from taking over
Mogadishu." As for next steps, he said that an AU delegation
would visit Djibouti from Addis Ababa next week to "discuss
modalities" and review in detail the requirements for the troops
sought from Djibouti. Youssouf explained that the GODJ could not
focus on the AMISOM deployment until after the East Africa Standby
Force (EASBRIG) completes its Field Training Exercise (FTX) in
Djibouti November 21-25. Once detailed plans are developed,
Youssouf said he expected training of the force to take at least
"one-to-two months" and so projected deployment to Mogadishu no
sooner than early 2010. He also underscored the need for donor
assistance to provide equipment for the forces to be deployed,
noting the heavy burden borne by Djiboutian forces due to the
continued stand-off with Eritrea.
4. (C) Prior to deploying the battalion, Djibouti will also provide
a small number of interpreters as part of an "observation team" to
support AMISOM. As this does not involve a large mobilization,
these interpreters can be sent in the coming days, the Minister
said, and do not need to wait until after the FTX. While he did
not provide a date for their departure, he said specific Djiboutian
officers had been identified 2-3 weeks ago for this mission.
5. (C ) Comment: Djibouti remains committed to the AMISOM
deployment, but has not begun operational planning. The scheduled
ACOTA TSC with Djibouti will be an excellent opportunity to help
the GODJ refine its planning and requirements for the deployment.
It would be efficient if USG personnel who will be responsible for
procuring USG-funded equipment for the contingent could also travel
to Djibouti to engage host-country contacts at that conference.
SWAN