SOMALIA - PUNTLAND PRESIDENT SEEKS INCREASED U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002344 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MOPS SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PUNTLAND PRESIDENT SEEKS INCREASED U.S. SUPPORT Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger for reasons 1.4(b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Despite some willingness in recent months to cooperate with TFG President Sharif, Puntland President "Faroole" continues to seek equal status with the TFG President and probably believes that stepped-up political engagement with Sharif can be parlayed into increased international community support for Puntland's security forces. During a November 9 meeting in Nairobi with the Ambassador, "Faroole" reiterated his frequent complaint that he had not been sufficiently consulted when TFG President Sharif and Prime Minister Sharmarke had been selected and the Parliament expanded during the Djibouti process. "Faroole" complained that implementation of the TFG - Puntland agreement was being undermined by key TFG officials, and asked for stepped-up U.S. security, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance to Puntland. The Ambassador urged "Faroole" to move forward on the TFG-Puntland agreement and told the Puntland President he would again encourage President Sharif to do the same. The Ambassador told "Faroole" that USG support for a Puntland coast guard was complicated by persistent indications that some within "Faroole's" administration may be complicit in piracy. The Ambassador told "Faroole" that the USG remained committed to supporting Puntland's counterterrorism efforts and said that the U.S. would look for opportunities to support Puntland on the development front. The Ambassador emphasized, however, that Puntland support for the TFG is extremely important to the U.S. USAID intends to meet wit "Faroole" during his Nairobi visit in order to discuss potential U.S. support for development projects in Puntland. End summary. -------------- -------------- -------------- -- "Faroole" Accuses TFG of Undermining TFG-Puntland Agreement -------------- -------------- -------------- - ¶2. (C) Puntland President "Faroole" began his November 9 meeting with the Ambassador by re-hashing longstanding complaints that he had not been sufficiently consulted when President Sharif and Prime Minister Sharmarke had been selected in Djibouti in early 2009. "Faroole" also alleged that implementation of the TFG - Puntland cooperation agreement was being undermined by key, unnamed TFG officials. "Faroole" said that he stood ready to meet President Sharif in Puntland, as a follow-on to his August meeting with Prime Minister Sharmarke. No date has been set for such a meeting, however, he said. "Faroole" told the Ambassador that little had happened to advance TFG - Puntland relations since the signing of the agreement. "Faroole" further complained that key ministers in the TFG had signed an anti-piracy agreement with Djibouti, a move "Faroole" described as undercutting the TFG - Puntland agreement's call for naval and military training bases in Puntland. (Note: Per the bilateral agreement, Puntland will host the TFG constitution drafting process and will also host TFG and Puntland security training. Contacts close to the Puntland President tell us that "Faroole" knows that no agreement was actually signed between the TFG and Djibouti but is attempting to use the bogus issue as proof that the TFG is not committed to the TFG - Puntland agreement. "Faroole" continues to seek equal status with TFG President Sharif and probably believes that stepped-up political engagement with Sharif will catalyze increased international community support for Puntland's security forces. End note.) The Ambassador urged "Faroole" to make progress within the framework of the TFG - Puntland agreement and told the Puntland President he would encourage President Sharif to do the same. -------------- -------------- "Faroole" Seeks Stepped-Up U.S. Support -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) President "Faroole" told the Ambassador that security had improved in Puntland since he took office, and cited the arrest of 200 pirates and the imprisonment of seven al-Shabaab members as evidence. "Faroole" said that his security forces on November 7 apprehended an al-Shabaab member who last year had kidnapped a French and a Spanish hostage. "Faroole" said that he intended to downsize and re-organize the Puntland security forces by getting rid of militia not loyal to the administration and integrating the "Darawish" special forces with the Puntland Security Force. NAIROBI 00002344 002 OF 002 "Faroole" said he wants to downsize from 10,000 forces to approximately 3,600 and asked for U.S. support for training and equipping Puntland forces. He also told the Ambassador that he wants to expand the Puntland Intelligence Service and incorporate it into the Puntland Security Service in order to better infiltrate terrorist groups. "Faroole" asked for U.S. support for a Puntland coast guard and, citing the need to "win hearts and minds", humanitarian assistance for building an airport runway and supplying a hospital. "Faroole" said his administration had built a 100-bed hospital in the Puntland capital Garowe but that the hospital needed equipment. -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Ambassador Applauds CT Efforts; Urges Action Against Pirates and Support for TFG -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador welcomed Puntland's cooperation with the USG on counterterrorism issues. The USG would continue to support Puntland's counterterrorism efforts and would attempt to expand support where possible, the Ambassador said. The Ambassador told "Faroole" the Security Assessment Team would soon complete an assessment for south-central Somalia and was recommending an immediate follow-up assessment for Puntland. U.S. support for a Puntland coast guard remained difficult, given persistent indications that some within "Faroole's" administration may be complicit in piracy, the Ambassador noted. "Faroole" rejected the allegations as baseless, and said that they were being propagated by the TFG Minister of Fisheries. (Note: "Faroole" has taken action against pirates in Puntland, but has yet to detain key pirate figures living openly in the Puntland capital and in other towns. Multiple contacts point to the administration's inaction and close relationship to key pirates, among them major pirate leaders Boyah and Garaad, as evidence of complicity. Contacts tell us that many of the pirates "Faroole" has arrested in fact are Boyah and Garaad's pirate competition, political rivals, and general criminals. End note. ) The Ambassador urged "Faroole" to step up efforts to address piracy by arresting key pirate leaders and to keep the Somalia Unit informed on details of pirate prosecutions. The Ambassador reiterated to "Faroole" the USG's commitment to support the TFG and said that support to Puntland is part of that commitment. The Ambassador strongly encouraged "Faroole" to work with the TFG. ¶5. (C) It is important to engage with "Faroole" in a way that does not embolden his secessionist tendencies. Supporting the TFG constitutional process, to be headquartered in Garowe, and the training of both TFG and Puntland security forces in Puntland are ways to encourage "Faroole" to see his future as tied to the TFG's. Support for a Puntland coast guard would do little without greater political will on "Faroole's" part to take legal action against key pirates in his area of control. RANNEBERGER