SOMALIA: FRANCE PROPOSES SANCTIONS FOR PIRATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000475 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO UNSC MARR AU SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: FRANCE PROPOSES SANCTIONS FOR PIRATES REF: USUN NEWYORK 321 Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- please see para 5. ¶2. (C//NF) SUMMARY: The French mission has shared with USUN a list of fourteen individuals linked to piracy whom France wants to designate under the newly-imposed Somalia targeted sanctions regime (UNSCR 1844). France believes these individuals meet the UNSCR 1844 designation criteria of having violated the Somalia arms embargo and/or impeded the delivery of humanitarian assistance. USUN requests guidance on responding to this French proposal and moving forward with other designations under the Somalia sanctions regime. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C//NF) The French mission to the United Nations on May 6 shared with the USUN Sanctions Unit a list of fourteen individuals linked to piracy (para 6) whom Paris is considering to propose for designating under the newly-established UN targeted sanctions regime for Somalia. (NOTE: In November 2008, the Security Council adopted UNSCR 1844 to impose an asset freeze, travel ban and ban on arms transfers on designated individuals and entities in Somalia who undermine stability in Somalia, violate the Somalia arms embargo or block humanitarian assistance. The Committee has not yet designated any individuals or entities. END NOTE). The French mission asked USUN whether Washington would be willing to work bilaterally to propose that the Committee designate these individuals. The French mission also asked that the United States keep this list confidential on a bilateral basis at this initial stage. ¶4. (C//NF) According to the French mission, Paris seeks to use UNSCR 1844 aggressively to designate pirates for sanctions. Although 1844 was not drafted with piracy in mind, France intends to identify pirates who meet the resolution's criteria of violating the arms embargo and/or blocking humanitarian aid to the region. The French mission noted that all of the individuals on this list are in some way connected to abductions or attacks on French ships. The mission asked whether Washington would be willing to sanction pirates under UNSCR 1844, assuming, of course, the pirates met the resolution's designation criteria. ¶5. (C//NF) The French mission noted that Paris categorized the list into three sections: supporters of piracy and investors, pirate team leaders and supporters of piracy in the "political and administrative spheres." France would like to know if the United States has targets for each of these categories. ¶6. (C) ACTION REQUEST -- USUN requests guidance on how to respond to the French request for bilateral cooperation on these designations. USUN has already told the French that any designations must be accompanied by adequate bio-data (e.g., date of birth, passport numbers) in order to ensure sanctions can be enforced effectively. ¶7. (C/NF) BEGIN FRENCH TEXT (Note, the French text bore the classification "SECRET - RELEASEABLE TO USUN"): A - Supporters of piracy and investors ¶1. Abdi Mohamed Mahamoud Hussein, aka Mohamed Garad - former leader of the "Somali Marines", from the Issa Mohamud under clan, one of the main supporters of piracy and investors, implicated in the hijacking of a least 4 ships, "BBC Trinidad," "Iran Deyanat", "Stella Maris" and Bunga Melati Dua". May have taken part in the capture of other ships such as "Irene and "Bright Ruby"; came on board of the Ukrainian ship MV Faina in November 2008 to try to buy some of the armament that was in the ship. ¶2. Abdiqafar Abdi Hussein, aka Hukun - one of the alleged financiers of the capture of the Sirius Star, and one of those who supported the hijacking of the "Ponant" ship in April 2008. Has become one of the main organizers of pirate attacks in the Garacad region. ¶3. Shire Haji Youssouf - works for the Department of ports and fishing in Caluula, officer of the Criminal Investigation Department for the Bari region, financier of groups of pirates in Puntland. His is the husband of the daughter of the sister of former President of Puntland Adde Muse, who protects him. ¶4. Djebruah - alleged financier of the attack against the ship "Ponant". Travels a lot (would have been in Djibouti in April 2008),recruiting officer of young pirates with Aburashid Abdulahi Abduli, provides vehicles, ships, and weapons. ¶5. Aburashid Abdulahi Abduli, aka Boyah - a member of the darod majertine issa Mahamud clan, implicated in the highjacking of the "Ponant" ship. He travels with a Canadian passport. He would be linked to the group of Mohamed Garad. Was in jail in Puntland, but was freed thanks to his supports in the Puntland administration. ¶6. Osman Youssouf - leader of the group of the Bari region. He is one of the influential members of the darod majertine clan, and the elder son of Adiaziz Aw Youssouf, aka Abdiaziz Harin, mayor of Jarrban. He is directly responsible for the abductions of French journalist Gwen Legouil on 16 December 2007, of the NGO humanitarian workers of Medicine sans frontiere on 26 December 2007 and of a German citizen in Boosaso on 21 September 2008. ¶7. Abshir Ato, from the Darod siwaq-roon clan - would be implicated in the highjacking of the ships Carre d'As and Yenegoa Ocean. Was arrested by Puntland police, but freed by his protectors. ¶8. Munye Said Omar - Member of the Parliament of Somalia, leader of the firm "Shifco", owner of several ships active in Aden, alleged partner in business operations with the son of Yemen President Ali Abdallah Saleh. Would provide some ships to pirates, and terrorize fishermen to keep the monopoly of the exploitation of the fishing resources of Somalia. Actively supported the candidature of former Somali President Abdullah Youssouf Ahmed and received in return the ability to use the ships belonging to the Somali State. ¶9. Sheikh Salad Isse - from the hawiye haber gidir Suleiman clan. Allegedly supports and finances the activities of pirates in Xarardheere. Important businessman, illegally exports coal from Kismayo, Mogadishu and Hobyo. ¶10. Mohamed Aw Jamal - allegedly one of the investors implicated in the capture of the Carre d'As ship. B- Pirates Team leaders ¶11. Mohamed Abdi Afweyne - from the hawiye haber gidir clan, native of Adado. Member of a group in Xarardheere implicated in several highjackings and attacks of pirates, leader of the Somali marines before Mohamed Garad. He has officially switched now to business and travels to Djibouti. Travels with an Ethiopian passport and may have brought some finds in this country. ¶12. Mrs. Asha Ali Jawanieh - from the darod ali suleiman clan, lives in Bossaso. She is allegedly involved in the illegal crossing of migrants, as well as other illegal activities with Yemen. She is a recruiting officer of pirates. ¶13. Ali Omar Abderahman, aka Ali Horhore - from the darod dishishe clan. He is allegedly the main support of a group arrested by French forces and handed over to Puntland authorities on 23 October 2008. He is presumably involved in several recently highjackings, and in the trafficking of migrants, drugs, and smuggling. ¶14. Fouad Hanano - from the darod warsangeli clan, implicated in the abduction of the German couple of the "Rockall Berlin" in June 2008. He leads more or less 50 pirates. He is based in Somaliland. C- Supporters of piracy in the political and administrative spheres (END FRENCH TEXT) Rice