GRM PLEDGES SUPPORT AGAINST TERRORIST ELEMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 001138 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF AND DS/IP/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MZ SUBJECT: GRM PLEDGES SUPPORT AGAINST TERRORIST ELEMENTS Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd Chapman, Reasons 1.4(b+d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On October 13, the Charge met with Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi to discuss news reports from South Africa regarding the existence in Mozambique of a Somali cell linked to al-Qaeda (AQ) with intent to launch attacks against U.S. interests in South Africa. Baloi demonstrated great concern and understood the danger such a presence meant for U.S. facilities in Mozambique as well, agreeing that an attack on U.S. facilities would be disastrous both for the U.S. and for Mozambique. The Charge also requested expanded cooperation in a follow-on meeting with Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Zefanias Muhate, and raised concerns about the security of U.S facilities and citizens in Mozambique. Muhate pledged the total cooperation of the intelligence and police services. END SUMMARY. -------------- CHARGE ASKS FM FOR INCREASED CT COOPERATION -------------- ¶2. (C) In an October 13 meeting with Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi, the Charge shared open source news reports citing South African intelligence concerns about a Somali cell with al-Qaeda (AQ) links in Mozambique. The Charge explained to Baloi that the information leaked to the press regarding the Somali AQ-linked cell was of grave concern, and that there were concerns over intentions to target U.S. facilities, not only in South Africa but also here in Mozambique. ¶3. (C) The Charge took the opportunity to again request Baloi's intervention to push through final authorization from the Maputo Municipal Council for closure of the public street that bisects the Chancery buildings, a serious security shortcoming. Baloi, in great candor, admitted that when he first heard about the Embassy,s request to close the road bisecting the Chancery several years earlier before becoming Foreign Minister, he did not take it seriously, as terrorism was considered "a U.S. phobia." Since December 2008, however, Baloi said he has been pushing his bureaucracy to resolve this issue and had understood that all issues had been settled. (Note: In a subsequent text message to the Charge October 14, Baloi assured that he continued to work on the street closure issue.) ¶4. (C) The Charge informed Baloi that he had made an urgent request to meet with Interior Minister Jose Pacheco. Baloi responded that Pacheco was campaigning in Manica Province, and would not return to Maputo before October 26; however, he would facilitate a meeting with the Ministry of Interior as soon as possible. The Charge urged an increase in CT cooperation on this threat in particular, and greater cooperation on the general issue of ungoverned spaces in Mozambique. Baloi agreed, saying an attack on U.S. facilities would be disastrous for the U.S. and for Mozambique. -------------- Interior Ministry Pledges Support -------------- ¶5. (C) In an October 14 meeting with Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary Zefanias Muhate, the highest ranking official at the Ministry presently in Maputo, the Charge again provided the relevant media reporting and raised concerns about the security of U.S. facilities, not only in South Africa but also in Mozambique. The Charge pointed out that extremist groups have expressed interest in targeting U.S. facilities and citizens in the region. The Charge asked Muhate to increase his Ministry's efforts to track Somali activities in Mozambique and share any relevant information, including the names of Somalis present in country and those entering the country. Muhate agreed to do so. The Charge also requested an urgent meeting with Minister Pacheco upon his return from campaigning in Manica Province, to which Muhate also agreed. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Baloi's concern about this issue, and his effort to get a meeting for the Embassy with the highest-ranking Interior Ministry official left in Maputo during this MAPUTO 00001138 002 OF 002 campaign season, reassures Post that the GRM will indeed be cooperative on this issue, within the scope of their limited capabilities. With less than two weeks to go before local elections, Mozambique's intelligence resources are spread thin supporting FRELIMO's campaign; however, Baloi's understanding of the seriousness of this situation should result in full GRM cooperation. Post appreciates receiving any additional information concerning the alleged Somali cells operating within Mozambique. End Comment CHAPMAN