SOMALIA - CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT SHARIF

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001326

SIPDIS

FROM AMBASSADOR RANNEBERGER FOR A/S CARSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID MARR MOPS KDEM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT SHARIF

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger. Reasons: 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Somali President Sheikh Sharif called me on June 28
to discuss the situation in Mogadishu and the upcoming
African Union summit.

2. (C) Sharif said that the tempo of fighting in Mogadishu
has reduced in recent days, but he has no doubt that the
al-Shabaab will maintain a strong offensive to try and topple
the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). He remains
confident that the TFG can resist this offensive and then
eventually expand its authority beyond Mogadishu. He said
that TFG forces have inflicted &serious damage8 on
al-Shabaab militia during the latest rounds of fighting. As a
result, Sharif said, the al-Shabaab is forcibly conscripting
young men and putting them into training camps.

3. (C) Sharif said that 120 al-Shabaab militia under Ahmed
Madoobe just defected to the TFG because they disagree with
the tactics the al-Shabaab is using and with the outside
support it is receiving. Sharif said that Madoobe has agreed
to talk with the media, which the TFG is arranging.

4. (C) Sharif said that the TFG NOW believes the number of
foreign fighters supporting the TFG has been underestimated.
While the TFG has little hard data or evidence, they are
receiving reports of more foreign fighters and al-Shabaab
heading towards Mogadishu.

5. (C) Sharif emphasized that the al-Shabaab is receiving
substantial support from al-Qaeda and from Eritrea. He said
that Eritrean officers are in Mogadishu helping al-Shabaab
direct its military offensive. Sharif said one of the
Eritreans in Mogadishu is a Colonel Dharmi. As I have
previously, I emphasized the need for the TFG to give us on
an urgent basis whatever specific information they may have
regarding al-Qaeda involvement, foreign fighters, and
Eritrean involvement. Sharif said that the TFG would provide
this, but the TFG has promised to do so in the past and we
have not yet received anything.

6. (C) Sharif said he looks forward to meeting with A/S
Carson at the AU, and wants to coordinate closely with us.
Sharif said he has three objectives for the AU summit: (1)
get the AMISOM mandate expanded to enable AMISOM to play a
more direct military role in support of the TFG, and bring
AMISOM forces up to 8,000 strength; (2) make the case
regarding the al-Qaeda threat in Somalia and the threat which
that poses to other African countries; and (3) seek more
forceful action against Eritrea because Eritrea is supporting
the al-Shabaab and, in the process, is working with al-Qaeda.

7. (C) Sharif stressed his appreciation for continued U.S.
support which, he said, has been vital in helping the TFG
resist the al-Shabaab offensive. He asked the U.S. to
continue urging the international community to provide
tangible support to the TFG.
RANNEBERGER