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C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000460 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C AND AF/RSA, 
ADDIS FOR AU MISSION 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2007 
TAGS: PREL MARR BY
SUBJECT: AU ASSESSES BURUNDI'S CAPABILITIES FOR SOMALIA 
DEPLOYMENT 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Ann Breiter for reasons 1.4(b)and(d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: African Union (AU) military leaders visited 
Burundi on June 10-13 to assess Burundi's readiness for 
participation in the African Union Mission to Somalia 
(AMISOM).  AU Major General Benonbuta Biraaro and his team 
inspected two battalions and met with Minister of Defense 
Lieutenant General Germain Niyoyonkana to explain Burundi's 
role in the AMISOM mission.  Biraaro stressed in a private 
conversation with Ambassador Moller that he understands the 
Burundian military's wish to deploy a battalion sized force 
in the very near term.  Biraaro continued that Burundi's role 
in Somalia will be to provide force protection to airports, 
seaports, and various military installations in Mogadishu and 
the surrounding area, opining that the Burundian military 
does not yet possess sufficient expertise or equipment to 
perform more complex missions in Somalia. The AU contingent 
estimated that if additional training were to begin the week 
of June 18, a Burundian battalion could be ready for 
deployment by the end of July.  However, deployment is 
contingent upon obtaining finacial and material support for 
the Burundian force. END SUMMARY 
 
¶2. (SBU) AU Major General Benonbuta Biraaro led an eight 
person contingent to Burundi June 10-13. The team, which 
included representatives from the US, British, and French 
armed forces, inspected two Burundian army battalions on June 
12 to determine their capabilities in advance of their 
proposed deployment as part of AMISOM.  The group also met 
with MOD leadership to determine its outlook on the mission 
and explain the AU's vision for Burundi's role in Somalia. 
General Biraaro noted in a meeting with Ambassador Moller 
that the GOB is determined to deploy at least one battalion. 
Biraaro acknowledged that there was strength in numbers and 
that, given that the entire AMISOM mission would require 
approximately 8,000 troops, he was reluctant to discourage 
the GOB's intentions to send at least a battalion.  (Note: A 
battalion consists of 800-1000 soldiers. End Note)  Biraaro 
continued that a battalion sized force would also serve as a 
strong signal of support for the Ugandan military units 
already serving in Somalia as part of AMISOM. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The AU has proposed that Burundi's forces will serve 
as force protection units for military installations, 
airports, and seaports to allow the Ugandan military already 
serving in that capacity to engage in more complex missions. 
This type of mission may not require an extensive buildup of 
equipment, Biraaro suggested, noting that the more equipment 
involved, the more training which would be required.  This 
training requirement could delay deployment.  The AU's goal 
is to deploy a ready-equipped, self-sustaining force, said 
Biraaro.  He stressed that an unsuccessful deployment could 
be very damaging for Burundi. 
 
¶4. (C) The AU team recognized that the Burundian military 
currently lacks the equipment to carry out its mission in 
Somalia.  However, they noted that force protection units 
have fewer equipment needs than units engaging in combat or 
conducting patrols.  They listed body armor 
(self-protection), water capabilities (self-sustainment), 
basic communication, and transportation as the fundamental 
needs for force protection.  Given plans for Burundi to 
undertake static security, a list of needed equipment which 
Burundi's MOD submitted to the AU and potential donors could 
be shortened considerably to provide the basic needs and 
necessary equipment for Burundi's proposed mission to 
Somalia.  Biraaro recommended that training for one battalion 
begin the week of June 18 with the intent of deploying at the 
end of July.  Subsequent deployments could be made after a 
second battalion is trained for more complex AMISOM missions, 
and could be made in company level increments. 
 
¶5. (C) The AU team acknowledged that this deployment will be 
costly and the Burundians are unable to fund its mission. 
Biraaro recommended that the Burundians find a sponsor who 
can coordinate and lead them through the entire process, as 
they have no experience with this type of mission.  He 
stressed that the Ugandans are alone in Somalia and a 
Burundian deployment could serve to motivate other AU member 
states to become Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs).  In a 
press briefing subsequent to the AU's briefing with the 
Ambassador, a Burundian military spokesman said the AU team 
confirmed the Burundian army's technical competence and "the 
first battalion could leave in July" for Somalia. 
 
¶6. (SBU) In a meeting with Charge on June 14, Burundi's 
Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Germain Niyoyonkana, 
 
insisted that Burundi could not send a force smaller than a 
battalion to Somalia.  He maintained that his forces must 
have the capability to defend themselves if attacked, rather 
than rely solely on support from other peacekeeping forces. 
He expressed appreciation for US support of Burundi's mission 
and urged the US to coordinate with other donors to ensure 
that Burundi obtained the needed financial and material 
support to deploy expeditiously.  Charge and the Embassy 
Acting Defense Attache (A/DATT) explained that while the 
United States could not provide weapons and ammunition, it 
could provide some equipment and support services.  They 
suggested that a smaller force would require less material 
support, and thus the Burundians might be able to deploy more 
quickly.  The A/DATT noted that the AU presently envisioned 
Burundi's role as that of providing static secuirty and 
perimeter defense. 
 
¶7. (C) COMMENT: The Minister of Defense remains adamant that 
Burundi will not consider sending a force smaller than a 
battalion.  While his stated concern is to ensure maximum 
security for his troops, we believe another reason is 
Burundi's desire to be perceived as on equal footing with 
other Troop Contributing Countries.  Although Burundi 
understands that the AU will take the lead on operational 
planning, it is clear that the GOB still looks to the US to 
take a lead role not only in providing major support, but 
also in convincing other prospective donors to step forward 
with pledges of assistance. END COMMENT 
BREITER