SOMALIA: DJIBOUTI FM STRESSES URGENT NEED TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000008

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/E, AF/RSA, AND PM/PPA
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA-WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2019
TAGS: KPKO MOPS EAID SO DJ
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: DJIBOUTI FM STRESSES URGENT NEED TO
SUPPORT SOMALI SECURITY FORCE

Classified By: DCM ERIC WONG. REASON: 1.4 (A) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY. In a Jan. 4 meeting with Ambassador, Foreign
Minister Youssouf hailed recent USG statements on Somalia and
on the Dec. 29 resignation of TFG President Yusuf, noting
that Yusuf had been an obstacle to the Djibouti Process.
Citing the reluctance of potential troop contributing
countries to contribute further contingents to AMISOM,
Youssouf said it was imperative to empower Somalis themselves
and to create an indigenous Somali security force. Youssouf
said other countries were now stepping forward to support the
Somali forces, including a $1.5 million pledge from Yemen for
uniforms and light weapons, rations from Sudan, and Saudi
willingness to pay troop salaries. Youssouf welcomed the USG
pledge of $5 million and urged its rapid disbursement. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) In a Jan. 4 meeting with Ambassador, Djiboutian
Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf hailed the Dec. 29
resignation of Transitional Federal Government of Somalia
(TFG) President Abdillahi Yusuf, noting that Yusuf had been
an obstacle to the Djibouti Process. Yusuf's departure had
now "accelerated" the timeline for forming a more inclusive
550-person parliament comprised of additional ARS
representatives, as the Somali constitution required that
parliament elect a new president within 30 days. According
to FM Youssouf, there were nearly 20 candidates seeking to
replace Yusuf, including Hassan Abshir Farah (former Puntland
interior minister who then served as former TNG prime
minister from 2001-2004).

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POTENTIAL DONORS INCLUDE SUDAN, YEMEN, SAUDI ARABIA
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3. (C) On the political front, the next round of TFG-ARS
talks (to be held under UN auspices) would occur after the
week of January 10, FM Youssouf said. Meanwhile, according
to Youssouf, Ethiopia was consolidating its troops in Somalia
in 5 sites, as part of its announced withdrawal. As
potential troop contributing countries to AMISOM (e.g.,
Nigeria) had been slow to provide contingents, it was
imperative to empower Somalis themselves and to create an
indigenous Somali security force, Youssouf said. Promoting
such stability on land was also key to combating Somali
piracy at sea, he added.


4. (C) Repeating Djibouti's long-standing position, Youssouf
stressed the need for international support for international
security forces. He said that other regional actors had
stepped forward to help. At a meeting of the "Sanaa
Cooperation Group" in Khartoum on Dec. 31, the Sudanese
representative had reportedly pledged to provide rations. In
a follow-on meeting, the Yemenis had agreed to provide $1.5
million in uniforms and light weapons. Finally, the Saudis
had now committed to provide modest salaries (Youssouf
estimated $100 per month) to the troops.


5. (C) Citing recent discussions with Italian ambassador, who
also presided over the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF),Youssouf
said IPF members had also discussed the need for rapid
assistance to support the formation of a Somali security
force, and to provide it with at the least the minimum means
necessary to operate. According to Youssouf, other potential
donor countries included Sudan (food aid),Yemen (uniforms
and light weapons),and Saudi Arabia.
FM Youssouf welcomed the Dec. 29 USG pledge to provide $5
million for Somali security, and urged its prompt
disbursement.


6. (C) COMMENT. Youssouf's review of ostensibly firm
commitments from regional actors to support Somali security
forces is the most detailed we have seen. If accurate, it
suggests growing recognition of the urgent need to prevent a
security vacuum by strengthening indigenous forces.
SWAN