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FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0151
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUJUMBURA 000206 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/03/21 
TAGS: MARR PARM PGOV PREL BY SO
SUBJECT: BURUNDI'S DEFENSE MINISTER: TROOPS IN SOMALIA 
WITHIN TWO MONTHS? 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  During a March 12 meeting with Deputy 
Assistant Secretary (DAS) for African Affairs, James Swan, 
Burundi,s Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen Germain Niyoyankana, 
projected that with U.S. logistical and financial assistance, 
Burundi could be ready to deploy troops to Somalia within two 
months.  In response to U.S. plans to transform the 
Tripartite Plus Fusion Cell (TPFC) into a virtual cell, Lt. 
Gen. Niyoyankana urged the United States to continue  face 
to face, facilitation to reinforce the commitment of all 
participants.  He reported that the integration of former 
rebel forces into the Burundian military continues to be a 
success.  Niyoyankana considers training an army that 
understands its role in a democratic society his primary 
objective in the evolution of the Burundian military.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) This cable is the third in a series of three 
discussing DAS Swan,s visit to Burundi.  The first cable 
highlighted DAS Swan,s message of appreciation to the 
government of Burundi (GOB) and recent events that threaten 
Burundi's progress.  A second cable described DAS Swan,s 
discussions concerning the PALIPEHUTU-FNL,s threats to 
suspend their participation in the JVMM process. 
¶3. (C) During a visit to Burundi March 11 - 13, DAS Swan 
thanked Lt. Gen. Germain Niyoyankana for Burundi's commitment 
to send 1700 troops to aid in the peacekeeping effort in 
Somalia, noting that the contribution of Burundian forces 
will assist the Somali government in Mogadishu to protect 
itself as the visibility of Ethiopian troops diminishes.  DAS 
Swan added that stabilization of Somalia is a top priority 
for the USG in Africa, and we welcome Burundi's contribution 
to this effort.  DAS Swan encouraged Burundi to consult with 
the African Union (AU) planning team in Addis Ababa to assess 
the needs of their peacekeeping force. 
 
¶4. (C) Lt. Gen. Niyoyankana explained that Burundi wanted to 
share its experiences in conflict resolution with Somalia. 
Niyoyankana estimated that Burundi could deploy its forces in 
Somalia within two months.  He noted, however, that although 
the political will to help the Somalis is strong, Burundi can 
not financially support an operation of this magnitude.  He 
appealed to the United States to support the logistics of 
moving the troops and related equipment to the field, and 
promised to provide by the following day a draft list of 
specific equipment requirements.  Although a Burundian 
delegation is currently in consultation with the AU planning 
team in Ethiopia, Niyoyankana believed it would be necessary 
to send a reconnaissance team to Kismayo to investigate 
technical requirements at the site where Burundians are to be 
deployed.  He expressed particular concern for the protection 
of his forces.  DAS Swan said the U.S. would be prepared to 
provide some support, along with other partners, for the 
Burundian deployment.  In a subsequent brief private 
conversation with Niyoyankana, DAS Swan urged that he also 
seek help from the South Africans in preparing for the 
deployment, and suggested the GOB discuss with the Ethiopians 
and Ugandans options for getting into Kismayo. 
 
¶5. (C) Turning to security in the Great Lakes region, Lt. 
Gen. Niyoyankana said he understood the U.S. desire to slowly 
disengage from the Tripartite Fusion Cell process and to 
transform the working group into a new virtual cell. 
However, he advocated for continued U.S. hands-on 
participation in the near term.  The Minister of Defense 
remarked that, as early as last year, Rwanda and Uganda had 
decided to end their participation in the TPFC but were 
persuaded to remain through the careful facilitation of the 
U.S.  Niyoyankana suggested that perhaps a  mixed, approach 
to a new version of the TPFC be adopted. 
 
¶6. (C) Lt. Gen. Niyoyankana updated DAS Swan on the 
integration of former rebels into the Burundian Defense 
Forces.  Burundi currently has an army of nearly 30,000, 
including 9,000 former rebel combatants.  Niyoyankana asked 
for assistance to reinstate 7,000 families, as well as 
assistance for 3,000 people who have been handicapped by the 
war and training in infrastructure development.  Niyoyankana 
concluded that his primary objective is the training of an 
army that understands its role in a democratic society. 
Given Burundi's perilous economic situation, he noted with 
concern that some demobilized combattants might be tempted by 
financial or political gain to join factions whose objectives 
may be detrimental to democratic stability. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment: The Burundian military will need assistance 
 
BUJUMBURA 00000206  002 OF 002 
 
 
to deploy its forces to Somalia.  The GOB has made initial 
contacts with AU planners and the Ethiopian National Defense 
Forces (ENDF) but needs help getting to Kismayo for a 
reconnaissance trip.  A USG contribution, along with help 
from other partners (such as France, who we understand may be 
prepared to provide some training) will be critical if the 
Burundian forces are to deploy within their rough two-month 
timeframe. End Comment. 
BREITER