FRIENDS OF EASBRIG DISCUSS UPCOMING FTX

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002063 SIPDIS AF/RSA FOR BITTRICK, SKARDON E.O.12958: N /A TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP PREL KE XW SUBJECT: FRIENDS OF EASBRIG DISCUSS UPCOMING FTX REF: A. DOHERTY-AF/RSA E-MAIL 09/18/2009 ¶B. NAIROBI 43 ¶1. SUMMARY: The East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) is preparing to conduct its first Field Training Exercise (FTX) in November. While much has been done to prepare for the exercise, in which approximately 1,300 soldiers from 10 of EASBRIG's member states plan to participate, logistical challenges such as airlift, food and water are daunting and not yet resolved. Also, tensions continue to simmer just beneath the surface between Ethiopia and the Kenya-based EASBRIG Coordination Mechanism (EASBRIGCOM) over Ethiopia's participation in the exercise. From its inception EASBRIG's membership lines have been blurry, but as the FTX approaches the commitment of its member states is becoming clearer: of its nominal 14 member states, EASBRIG planning documents show that 10 plan to participate in the FTX. Of those, six plan to deploy more than 150 soldiers. See para 6 for request for guidance as to potential areas of support for the FTX. END SUMMARY. ¶2. On September 14, EASBRIGCOM provided an update to its donors, the Friends of EASBRIG, on the status of their preparations for the organization's first FTX, planned for November 21-25 in Djibouti. The update included a budget request for still-unfunded portions of the exercise to the tune of $3.3 million plus airlift for over 900 soldiers. (Note: Consolidated budget sent via Ref A. Additional details available on request. End Note.) ¶3. As discussion progressed between EASBRIGCOM representatives and donors, it became clear that many issues, particularly regarding logistics and including the budget request, have not yet been resolved. For instance, EASBRIG's planning element had been counting on the Government of Germany to provide airlift support for the exercise. The German representative made it clear, however, that no such support was guaranteed, and any airlift assistance that may come would not be sufficient to transport 900 soldiers. The budget request also included an unfunded line item of $2.4 million for feeding and accommodation and $185,000 for water. When questioned by the donors on host nation commitments toward providing food for their own soldiers, EASBRIGCOM officials relayed the decision taken in August by the Chiefs of Defense Staff that FTX participants would provide food and water for their own troops. However, there were questions among EASBRIGCOM staff themselves about what this meant, and therefore what would need to be provided in addition: would participating nations provide dry rations only? Who would provide wet rations? Similar uncertainty arose in regard to the provision of water. While EASBRIGCOM officials looked to the Djiboutian delegation in its role as host to provide some of these things, the matter was unresolved by the end of the meeting. None of the donors presented any new funding commitments, and there was general agreement that EASBRIG would provide an updated budget request after their final planning conference, scheduled for September 26-29 in Djibouti. ¶4. As has become routine (see Ref B),the tension between Ethiopia and EASBRIGCOM was evident. One of the EASBRIG planning documents showed that Ethiopia would not be among the countries providing infantry battalions for the exercise, which contradicted information from other sources indicating that Ethiopia was indeed planning to send a significant number of troops. EASBRIGCOM Acting Director Peter Marwa claimed that Ethiopia had yet to confirm formally their participation and that the exercise would go on with or without Ethiopia. Marwa later said that because Ethiopia had not participated in EASBRIG's November 2008 Command Post Exercise (Ref B),it was inappropriate for them to send an infantry battalion, but they were welcome to fill in the gaps remaining at headquarters. ¶5. From its inception, EASBRIG's membership lines have been blurry, but as the FTX approaches the commitment of its member states is becoming clearer: of its nominal 14 member states, EASBRIG planning documents show that 10 plan to participate in the FTX. Of those, six plan to deploy more than 150 soldiers. The countries planning to contribute the largest number of troops are Kenya (261),Uganda (197),Rwanda (195),Sudan (194),and Djibouti (157). (Note: We have heard varying numbers from Ethiopia, but the latest is 190. End Note) Other FTX participants will include Comoros (31), Seychelles (30),Burundi (17),and Somalia (12). Tanzania, whose loyalties lie with the South African Standby Brigade, managed by the South African Development Community (SADC),plans to send an observer only. Fellow SADC member Mauritius has made no commitment to participate. Madagascar, a founding member of EASBRIG and another SADC member, will not participate; however, it was not clear if their non-participation is due to their own decision or a decision by EASBRIG policymaking organs in light of the coup earlier NAIROBI 00002063 002 OF 002 this year. Burundi, on the other hand, has been anxious to upgrade its status in EASBRIG and plans to send 17 personnel to the FTX. ¶6. COMMENT: Despite the basic political hurdles presented by its motley group of members, and the logistical hurdles inherent in planning for the transport, care and feeding of over 1,000 soldiers, EASBRIG appears determined to make the FTX a reality in November. The provision of airlift support by one or more donors will be a make-or-break factor in terms of the overall participation, and Ethiopia's robust participation will send a strong message about the organization's longer-term viability. Post welcomes guidance from Washington as to potential areas of support. RANNEBERGER