US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI121

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000121 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF AND AF/E; LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, DJ, SO 
SUBJECT: CLOSER TIES BETWEEN DJIBOUTI AND SOMALILAND? 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Erinn C. Reed for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: The self-proclaimed independent state of 
Somaliland enjoys a close relationship with the Republic of 
Djibouti due to strong familial ties of their populations and 
frequent business traffic between the two capitals. While 
there have been ups and downs, including Djibouti's adherence 
to the African Union position on the integrity of Somalia, 
relations have always been calm on the surface. In the past 
year, the relationship between Djibouti and Somaliland seems 
to have grown closer. Actions such as the establishment of a 
Somaliland representation office in Djibouti, and fairly 
frequent visits from Somaliland ministers, are some 
indicators of this new level in the relationship. More 
concrete evidence can be seen in the results of a recent 
Somaliland ministerial visit to Djibouti 8-13 January. This 
was followed by a visit from the President of Somaliland on 
27 January, while on his way to South Africa. The ministerial 
meeting, heavily covered by the Somaliland press --but not by 
Djiboutian media-- ended with the signing of a 14-point 
agreement to formally establish cooperation on various 
economic and security related issues. End Summary. 
 
2. (U)  From information Post has been able to glean from 
Djiboutian contacts, ministerial meetings in Djibouti between 
the Somaliland Ministers of Interior, Finance, Communication, 
Federated Regions, and Air Transport and their Djiboutian 
counterparts January 8-13 yeilded a formal agreement for 
economic and security cooperation. The agreement, which 
addressed subjects such as smuggling, maritime security, 
fishing rights and increased trade, was signed by the 
Somaliland Minister of the Interior, and the Djiboutian 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. The January 8-13 visit also 
included meetings between the mayors of Hargeisa and 
Djibouti. Somaliland's President, Daher Rayaleh Kahin, paid a 
courtesy visit to President Ismail Omar Guelleh on 27 
January, while passing through Djibouti on the way to South 
Africa. This short visit, according to Embassy sources, also 
led to a more informal agreement between the two governments 
intelligence agencies to work together more closely. 
 
3. (U) The 14-point agreement, which was highlighted in press 
reports on the ministerial visit, allows for greater 
cooperation between the two countries in key economic and 
security areas. The fourteen points are as follows: 
1) All previous agreements signed between the two parties are 
still effective. 
2) Trade between the two parties is to be fortified. 
3) Strengthen cooperation in the fight against smuggling. 
4) Strengthen cooperation in the fight against land and 
maritime terrorism. 
5) Establish cooperation on maritime borders to improve 
prevention of unlawful   fishing, sea water pollution, and 
illegal immigration. 
6) Establish cooperation in health, especially in the areas 
of HIV/AIDS and Malaria. 
7) Establish cooperation in intelligence and security. 
8) Establish cooperation to rebuild roads between the 
Djiboutian border town of Loyada and the Somaliland border 
town of Sayla'. (Note: Djibouti has agreed to pay the 
expenses of the road project. End Note.) 
9) Establish a joint technical commission to work under the 
authority of the Somaliland-Djibouti Ministerial Committee. 
The Technical Committee will meet every four months, while 
the Ministerial Committee will meet every six months. 
10) The joint commission will meet alternating between both 
capitals, Djibouti and Hargeisa. 
11) Somaliland citizens will be allowed into Djiboutian 
territory using Somaliland passports. 
12) Establish cooperation in the fields of transportation, 
information, politics, development, and traditional arts. 
13) The technical commission will follow the execution of the 
present agreement, reviewing each stage to monitor whether 
both sides adhere to the text of the agreement. 
14) The Ministers of Interior will act as the leaders of this 
cooperation. 
 
4. (U) In a statement to members of the Somaliland 
parliament, seen by Embassy's Pol Assistant FSN in Somaliland 
press coverage, the Minister of Interior reportedly said that 
the main issue Djibouti is concerned about is smuggling. 
Djibouti requested Somaliland's assistance in combating the 
trafficking of illegal merchandise and drugs across the 
Somaliland/Djibouti border. Somaliland officials did not 
confirm or deny the existence of smuggling in their comments 
to the press. Another major concern of Djibouti's is maritime 
security. During the discussions, Djibouti and Somaliland 
reportedly agreed to a joint patrol from Djibouti City to 
Berbera. Somaliland also agreed to assist in preventing 
illegal fishing boats from fishing in both government's 
territorial waters, as well as preventing dumping of nuclear 
and other wastes. 
 
5. (C) According to Somaliland press, the Minister of 
Interior characterized Djibouti as "more relaxed" on its 
position of non-recognition of Somaliland. He also noted that 
Somaliland asked Djibouti to back requests for recognition to 
the international community, and asked for Djibouti's 
recognition of Somaliland independence. The minister is 
quoted, in the Somaliland newspaper "Haatuf," as saying "When 
receiving us, Ismail Omar Guelleh told us the Great Somalia 
didn't work. If Somaliland is descending into hell, we're 
with you. If Somaliland is ascending to paradise, we're with 
you." (Note: This is a very rough, literal translation of the 
Somali text of the article. A more general interpretation of 
Guelleh's statement would be that whatever the circumstances, 
Djibouti will stand by Somaliland. Post cannot yet confirm if 
this is a true change in Djibouti's position or a move to 
curry favor with the Somaliland public. End Note.) 
 
6. (C) Embassy has been told that discussions did not include 
livestock issues or moving the Somaliland village of Loyada 
20 km farther from the border, as was printed in the 
Somaliland press coverage of the ministerial meeting. Some 
believe that perhaps an agreement regarding livestock export 
issues was reached, but it has not been publicized due to the 
negative nature of Somaliland public opinion regarding this 
issue. Somaliland public opinion is reportedly heavily 
against Djibouti creating a livestock export facility because 
it is one of many perceived "betrayals" by Djibouti. 
Livestock export is the greatest revenue generator for 
Somaliland. Other points of resentment include Djibouti's 
efforts to expedite the Somalia peace process and its refusal 
to acknowledge Somaliland independence. Some accuse Djibouti 
of trying to "suffocate" Somaliland politically and 
economically because of these actions. 
 
7. (C) Comment: Djibouti has increased its aid/good will 
gestures towards Somaliland in the past few months, including 
donations of generators, funds, and an office and residence 
for the Somaliland representation. The two governments also 
appear to be showing political will to re-approach each other 
with more open minds. According to a Somaliland press story 
several months ago, President Daher Rayaleh Kahin asked the 
press corp "not to criticize Djibouti and its president," and 
said "Djibouti does not have a magic wand to grant us 
recognition." Post does not believe that this move towards 
closer relations with Somaliland indicates that Djibouti 
will, at any time in the near future, adopt a policy of 
recognition towards their neighbor. There remains no 
fundamental shift in Djibouti's policy on recognition and it 
continues to adhere to the African Union position. End 
Comment. 
RAGSDALE