DJIBOUTI/SOMALIA: GODJ DEPUTY CHOD UPDATES PLANS TO TRAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000765 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/06/23 TAGS: PINS MASS PREL DJ SO SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI/SOMALIA: GODJ DEPUTY CHOD UPDATES PLANS TO TRAIN TFG FORCES REF: DJIBOUTI 435; DJIBOUTI 441; DJIBOUTI 525; DJIBOUTI 555 DJIBOUTI 743 CLASSIFIED BY: James Swan, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(A),(B),(D) 1.(C) Summary: MG Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, the second-ranking officer in the Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD),updated Embassy Security Cooperation Officer (SCO) June 22 on plans to train Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops in Djibouti. The FAD plans to provide basic training to 400 TFG troops for three months at Assagueyla (in northern Djibouti) as the first stage in a process to train a total of 1000 Somali personnel. Zakaria reiterated the GODJ request for USG assistance in transporting the Somali forces, and specified other material support requirements (e.g., tents, cots, water bladders, ammunition, etc.). SCO underscored that the USG needs a complete list from the TFG of those to be trained, as well as an opportunity to review the FAD's training plan, before we can consider support to this effort. While Zakaria assured SCO that the TFG is ready now to send the trainees to Djibouti, we would welcome confirmation from the Embassy Nairobi Somalia Unit that the TFG does indeed want to pursue this training in view of its urgent need for forces on the battlefield in Mogadishu. On a related matter, Zakaria confirmed that the GODJ is preparing to send up to 250 FAD troops to Somalia to provide direct military support to the TFG. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) FAD Deputy Chief of Staff Zakaria met with SCO morning June 22 to provide further details of planned Djiboutian training of TFG forces (reftels). The meeting followed repeated Embassy attempts to elicit a training plan from the GODJ. Zakaria promised that his staff would furnish SCO with a calendar-based schedule outlining the training program and requirements. GODJ Initially to Train 400 TFG Forces; USG Assistance Sought -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Zakaria described the FAD plan and assistance requested from USG as follows: --FAD will conduct basic training of 400 TFG forces. Per Zakaria, the TFG has already identified the 400 and they are ready now to participate in the training. --The training will last three months and will be conducted in Assagueyla (Tadjourah District). --The 400 will be the first installment of a total of 1000 TFG personnel to train in Djibouti. A second group of 400 and then a final group of 200 will also be trained, each for a period of three months. Subsequent training may be moved to Ali Sabieh in the south upon completion of facilities upgrades. --The FAD will establish a rudimentary training camp in Assagueyla. Zakaria requested the USG provide tents and cots for the 400 trainees, water storage (bladders),portable toilets (for a limited number of officers),and barbed wire to secure the site. --Additional USG support is requested for uniforms, meals-ready-to-eat, and arms/ammunition (NFI) for the 400. ¶4. (C) While Zakaria did not specify a precise date for the training to begin, Republican Guard Commander Colonel Mohamed Jama told SCO on June 21 that Djiboutian President Ismael Omar Guelleh had directed that the transport from Mogadishu begin no later than July 2. Indeed, SCO's meeting with Zakaria was prompted in part by FAD staff presenting a pro-forma from Jubba Airlines - a local carrier that serves Mogadishu - for transport of 400 persons to/from Djibouti. DJIBOUTI 00000765 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) SCO underscored to Zakaria that, before the USG can consider any support for this training, we need (1) confirmation of the names of the TFG forces personnel who will participate, and (2) a detailed training plan describing the program of instruction. ¶6. (C) On a related matter, Zakaria confirmed that the GODJ is making preparations to send a 250-person contingent to Somalia to support the TFG. Per ref E, we believe this deployment will occur only if the AMISOM mandate is amended to permit countries bordering Somalia (including Djibouti) to send forces. ¶7. (C) Comment: GODJ plans for both the training of TFG forces and deployment of a contingent to Somalia show the Djiboutian commitment to support the TFG. Zakaria's information - while still sketchier than we would like - is the most detailed description we have seen so far on the GODJ training plan. We question, however, whether the TFG is in a position now to release desperately needed troops to receive this training. We would appreciate Embassy Nairobi Somalia Unit confirmation from TFG leaders that they do indeed intend to send troops for this training. We recommend the USG respond favorably to GODJ requests for assistance with the training (i.e., transport, materiel, arms/ammunition, etc.) in recognition of our interest not only in helping the TFG but also in reinforcing our security partnership with Djibouti, which hosts Camp Lemonier (the only U.S. military installation in sub-Saharan Africa) and important naval re-supply and refueling facilities. SWAN