SOMALIA - URGENT NEED FOR FUNDING AS FIGHTING

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001107

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR A/S CARSON, FOR AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAID PTER MOPS SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - URGENT NEED FOR FUNDING AS FIGHTING
CONTINUES IN MOGADISHU

REF: NAIROBI 1105


1. (C) As the TFG continues to fight designated Foreign
Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab in Mogadishu, the appeals
from President Sharif, Prime Minister Sharmarke, and TFG
force commander "Dhumaal" for urgent funding to support their
efforts have intensified. As reftel notes, in the last two
days the TFG has succeeded in pushing al-Shabaab and other
extremist forces opposing it out of key districts of the
Somali capital. The TFG is eager to capitalize on its
success, and to that end has been seeking additional
ammunition and funding for its forces. Problems in rapidly
transporting ammunition and weapons available from UPDF
stocks at Entebbe have made the immediate provision of
financial aid all the more critical.


2. (C) Embassy urges that the Department authorize a second
tranche of USD 500 thousand in funding to the TFG. In
Embassy's judgment, the initial tranche of USD 500 thousand,
which the TFG has fully accounted for, made a key
contribution to the success of the TFG's current
counter-offensive. In addition to permitting it to pay its
troops, and purchase weapons and ammunition, the funds
provided concrete evidence of USG engagement in the efforts
of the TFG to defeat al-Shabaab.


3. (C) Should the Department approve, the funds would be used
to pay salaries and/or procure urgently needed support for
fighting the extremists. The Embassy continues to prefer that
in-kind assistance be provided to the TFG, but the
rapidly-evolving security situation and the urgency of
capitalizing on the TFG's fragile advantage in our view
mandate that cash grant assistance be immediately provided.
RANNEBERGER