R 070442Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0183
INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
REUKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000941
SIPDIS
AF/FO, AF/RSA, AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MASS MOPS AU
SUBJECT: USAU: AFRICAN UNION REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL AND
LOGISTICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CONSTRUCTING A TEMPORARY
HEADQUARTERS FACILITY IN MOGADISHU, SOMALIA.
1. THIS CABLE IS FROM THE U.S. MISSION TO THE AFRICAN UNION
(USAU) AMBASSADOR DR. CINDY L. COURVILLE.
2. SUMMARY: AU Peace and Security Commission is requesting
USG financial and logistical support to establish a temporary
AMISOM Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu. The current
Headquarters is located in Nairobi, Kenya and in light of
increasing troop contributions, an imperative exists for the
Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission
(SRCC) to be in closer proximity to the AMISOM Force
Commander. END SUMMARY.
3. On 4 April 2008, USAU received a note verbale from AU
Peace and Security Commission indicating that the absence of
a Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu along with the challenges
faced by the newly appointed AMISOM SRCC, continues to
undermine the overall effectiveness of AMISOM. Given the
projected troop increases from Burundian and Nigerian forces,
it is becoming increasingly important to have unity of
command and effort in Mogadishu.
4. The Note Verbale furthers explains that the AU Commission
is exploring various avenues aimed at expediting the
construction of the Mission Headquarters, but these efforts
so far have not borne fruit. As such, given the urgency, the
Commission has determined that there is a necessity to
construct temporary facilities within the AMISOM area of
operations in which the SRCC and a few key staff could
operate until a suitable solution is found to erect a proper
Mission Headquarters.
5. The Commission is requesting USG assistance in providing
the financial and logistical resources to establish the
required facilities for the SRCC and his key personnel in
Mogadishu. Subject to USG response, the AMISOM Strategic
Planning and Management Unit (SPMU) would engage with USAU to
determine precise details of the requirement.
6. WAY FORWARD:
- USAU asks that AF Bureau consider funding this temporary
headquarters.
YAMAMOTO