OBASANJO MEETINGS WITH BASHIR, QADHAFI

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001354

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2014
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR SU NI
SUBJECT: OBASANJO MEETINGS WITH BASHIR, QADHAFI

Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell. Reasons 1.5 (B & D).


1. (C) Garrick Kayode, Senior Special Assistant to the
National Security Advisor, briefed PolCouns August 4 on
President Obasanjo's Sunday August 1 meetings with Sudanese
President Bashir and Libyan leader Qadhafi. The Bashir
meeting went very well, in Obasanjo's opinion. He persuaded
Bashir to allow the AU effort to tackle "normalcy,
disarmament and humanitarian aid, and won a pledge from
Bashir to increase the Sudanese security presence
significantly in Darfur to disengage the Janjawid. (Note:
Media reports that the GOS has since announced it would
double its security forces in Darfur.) Bashir further agreed
that the AU observers and military protection units can set
up in Darfur "as quick as they can arrive," and that the AU
military observers can inspect Sudanese police and other
security units to check whether Janjawid elements are being
re-badged as GOS security forces.


2. (C) President Obasanjo's meeting with Qadhafi was not
productive. Obasanjo flew to Sirte to meet with Qadhafi at
Bashir's request to get Libyan assistance on transportation
and humanitarian aid. Qadhafi was not responsive, and Kayode
speculated that other countries might have to weigh in with
Qadhafi to get Libyan help.
CAMPBELL