DARFUR PEACE TALKS: OBASANJO SAYS DRAFT PEACE DEAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000969

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/SPG, D, INR, DRL, PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SU NI
SUBJECT: DARFUR PEACE TALKS: OBASANJO SAYS DRAFT PEACE DEAL
IS A "WIN-WIN"

REF: ABUJA 953

Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On April 28, Nigerian President Olusegun
Obasanjo requested a meeting with USDEL to share his
impressions of the draft peace agreement and his ideas on the
way forward. Obasanjo is conducting separate meetings with
the parties and then plans to bring them together later in
the day. After receiving the Government of Sudan delegation
led by Vice President Ali Osman Taha, Obasanjo felt that the
GOS could initial the agreement by the April 30 deadline. He
planned to tell the movements that the draft peace proposal
contains the elements necessary for them to create their
political future in Darfur. He thanked the U.S. for its
attention to Darfur and commitment to the negotiations. End
Summary.


2. (C) Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, through the
African Union mediation, requested a meeting with USDEL on
April 28. USDEL members Yates, Hume, and N'Djamena poloff
(notetaker) were accompanied by Charge Furey. Obasanjo
opened the meeting by saying that the draft peace agreement
is a win-win for all involved. No party got everything that
it wanted. Obasanjo had just met with Sudanese Vice
President Ali Osman Taha who told him that his Government did
not get everything it had wanted, but that to keep the
deadline, the GOS would not derail the agreement. Obasanjo
then asked USDEL our impressions of the document and next
steps.


3. (C) Khartoum CDA Hume thanked Obasanjo for his continued
involvement on Darfur and for the service of his soldiers and
Nigerian members of the AU Mediation including Generals
Garuba and Ikehire and Ambassador Sam Ibok. CDA Hume said
that the US finds the draft peace agreement reasonable and a
basis to negotiate final points. He also expressed our hope
that the deal could be reached within 72 hours. Hume said
that USDEL shares Obasanjo's assessment of the GOS's position
on the draft agreement.


4. (C) CDA Hume told Obasanjo that Sudan Liberation
Movement (SLM) faction leader Abdelwahid Nur is disappointed
that movements were not given the Vice Presidency and that
the issue of the region was not definitively decided. He
noted that USDEL has explained to both Abdelwahid and Minni
Minnawi that the agreement, with some adjustments, offers the
movements a political future. CDA Hume described Minni
Minnawi's position as focused on the sequencing of the
disarmament of the janjaweed and the integration of his
forces. Minni's preoccupation is with the safety of his
soldiers during and after integration into the Sudanese
military and security forces. He noted that the parties need
to discuss the issues with each other. USDEL lawyer and
military expert are working closely with them.


5. (C) CDA Hume assured Obasanjo that Darfur remains an
issue of mutual concern for President Bush, whose personal
interest in Darfur means continued US support for the
process, especially the negotiations and implementation of
the agreement. In addition, the US is concerned about the
increasing level of violence in Darfur and the challenges it
presents for AMIS soldiers on the ground. US support for
AMIS could include 500 NATO troops to assist with logistics
and planning for AMIS and US support for the re-hatting of
AMIS. Obasanjo shook his head in agreement.


6. (C) Obasanjo shared his ideas on the way forward. He
said that he will consult with the parties individually and
then bring them all together later today. If they can be
persuaded, Obasanjo believes that the document could be
initialed on the April 30 deadline. He would then arrange an
elaborate signing ceremony on or about May 2. ThisQould
allow for high-level representation. He expressed concern
about whether or not Chad would attend the signing, given the
presidential elections, and the fact that Chad ha broken off
diplomatic ties with Sudan.


7. (C) The movements are the key to the deal, according to
Hume, and the tabling of the text changed their situation.
Obasanjo singled out Abdelwahid Nur as needing special
pressure, as indicated with wringing/pressure motion hand
gestures. He said that he would tell the movements that the
document is not perfect but can be built upon. He hoped to
be able to get the parties together for a face-to-face
encounter later in the day. USDEL expressed support for this
idea and offered to assist if needed.

ABUJA 00000969 002 OF 002



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COMMENT
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8. (C) Obasanjo was energized and ready to meet the April
30 deadline to get the agreement initialized.
FUREY