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.

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MFA BLAMES ERITREA FOR REGIONAL WOES

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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.)

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THE PRESIDENCY ON AMISOM, AL-SHABAAB, AND REGIONAL SECURITY

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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.

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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