Djiboutian Officials Highlight Cooperation with USG on

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 001315 SIPDIS STATE FOR DIRECTOR AF/E PASI E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/15 TAGS: PREL DJ ER SO UN SUBJECT: Djiboutian Officials Highlight Cooperation with USG on Regional Security CLASSIFIED BY: Heather Wright, Consular Officer; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. In meetings with visiting Director of East African Affairs ( AF/E) Geeta Pasi, senior Djiboutian officials expressed appreciation for donor assistance from the United States, and for bilateral cooperation on regional security issues. Delegate Minister in Charge of International Cooperation Ahmed Ali Silay and Secretary General of the Presidency Ismail H. Tani highlighted Eritrea's role as a spoiler undermining regional security, as well as the need for further bilateral cooperation to support Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) against Ali Shabaab. These senior officials informed Ms. Pasi of a planned meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers on Sudan and Somalia in November now postponed to December; forthcoming troop deployments to AMISOM once detailed requests were made and financial issues addressed; and the creation of a GODJ/TFG working group on Al-Shabaab in anticipation of its demise. END SUMMARY. -------------- MFA BLAMES ERITREA FOR REGIONAL WOES -------------- ¶2. (C) October 24, during a meeting with the Ambassador and visiting AF/E director, Minister Silay thanked the USG for bilateral cooperation since Djibouti gained independence in 1977 and asked for continued help as Djibouti works for regional stability, development, and poverty reduction. He affirmed the GODJ's interest in promoting stability in Somalia and reiterated that the GODJ would continue to provide support to Somalia's TFG. He also said that the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) continued to be a spoiler undermining regional stability since it meddled in Sudanese affairs; formed a small armed force to destabilize Djibouti; and provided military aid and financing to Al-Shabaab. Silay noted that the IGAD Council of Ministers would meet November 14-18 in Djibouti to discuss Sudan and Somalia. ¶3. (C) Silay said that the GODJ remained concerned about the GSE's continued occupation of the Ras Doumeira (in northern Djibouti),which undermined Djibouti's security. He underscored the need for an arms embargo against Eritrea, asserting it would strengthen the TFG while curbing piracy off the Horn of Africa. In addition to the arms embargo, Silay requested more tactical training for GODJ's coast guard. (NOTE: A presidential decree earlier this year announced the formation of Djibouti's coast guard, but it is comprised primarily of assets from the existing navy. END NOTE.) -------------- THE PRESIDENCY ON AMISOM, AL-SHABAAB, AND REGIONAL SECURITY -------------- ¶4. (C) In a separate meeting on October 24, Ismail Tani, Secretary General of the Office of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, echoed the same sentiments as Minister Silay. He thanked the USG for facilitating aid to the TFG and stated that the GODJ was "ready to help the U.S. with stability (in Somalia)" and that "without stability in Somalia, there will be no development." He stated the presidency agreed with UN efforts to promote Somalia's TFG. The Ambassador highlighted the USG's commitment to provide Djibouti with logistical support for training additional Somali troops in Djibouti, and requested unit information for Leahy vetting. The Ambassador hailed possible plans to deploy Djiboutian peace-keepers to Somalia, noting that AMISOM needed troops who spoke Somali and understood Somali culture. Tani affirmed Djibouti's political will to deploy troops in support of AMISOM, but stated that issues related to financing and reimbursement needed to be addressed. He said the GODJ awaited a detailed requested from AMISOM (e.g., specifying how many troops were needed, and what qualifications were required); delays by AMISOM would make the task of deployment more difficult. ¶5. (C) Tani criticized Al-Shabaab for exploiting poverty and instability in Somalia. Most Somali resident were more concerned with daily survival and security for their families, not the future of Somalia and whether or not the TFG or Al-Shabaab were in control. According to Tani, Al-Shabab has weakened steadily and the challenge now was to define what comes next. He said the GODJ and TFG had formed a working group to examine how Al-Shabaab recruited youth, what would happen if Al-Shabaab was removed, and how to redirect the energy of the youth to more positive enterprises after an anticipate collapse of Al-Shabaab. DJIBOUTI 00001315 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Tani expressed concerns over Eritrea's destabilizing behavior in the region and reaffirmed the GODJ's desire to seek an arms embargo against Eritrea. Tani disagree with criticisms that the draft UNCS resolution regarding Eritrea was too forceful, stating it was good for GODJ to show some muscle. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Djibouti is a pocket of relative stability in the Horn of Africa and a close partner for the USG. Any threat to Djiboutian peace and security should be deemed a threat to USG goals on the Horn of Africa. GODJ's continued preoccupation with the GSE's occupation of Ras Doumeira and other destabilizing activities underscore the need to find a way to effectively influence the GSE. Djibouti armed forces is comprised of about 5,000 men, 40 percent of whom are currently deployed to the Ras Doumeira. In light of this, Djibouti's willingness to deploy any troops or other assets to AMISOM from their small security force should be seen as a considerable contribution on their part. END COMMENT. ¶8. AF/E Director Geeta Pasi cleared this cable. SWAN