C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001055

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AF/RSA, AF/SPG
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PREF SU CD AU
SUBJECT: AU SEIZED WITH CHAD-SUDAN AND SUDAN HUMANITARIAN

REF: A. STATE 60228


B. STATE 59821

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES VICKI HUDDLESTON. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND
(D)


1. (C) Summary: The African Union (AU) will send a
delegation to Ndjamena to gather more information on alleged
Sudanese support for Chadian rebels in order to brief the
Peace and Security Council (PSC), AU Commissioner for Peace
and Security Amb. Said Djinnit told DCM April 17. Djinnit
undertook to ensure the committee of heads of state to follow
implementation of the March 10 PSC decision on AMIS
transition will raise humanitarian access concerns in its
engagement with the Sudanese government. On transition
planning, Djinnit expressed regret, but not surprise, that
Bashir did not give UN ASG Annabi the green light. He
suggested that the UN make use of new AU-UN joint planning
and coordination mechanisms to help inform transition
planning until an actual planning mission takes place. End
summary.

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CHAD-SUDAN FACT-FINDING
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2. (C) In response to ref A points, Djinnit noted that the
April 13 AU PSC had, inter alia, condemned the attacks by
rebel movements in Chad, and called for the AU Commission to
facilitate dialogue. According to Djinnit, the PSC had
discussed Sudan's possible support of Chadian rebels, as the
Chadian Ambassador had accused Sudan of such activity.
However, Djinnit noted, the PSC decided that it was too early
to point fingers as the role of the GNU had yet to be
established concretely.


3. (C) Djinnit told DCM that the AU generally shares USG
concerns, but the PSC needs further information. The AU
would send an information-gathering mission (composition to
be determined) in the next few days to Ndjamena. The
Commission would use this information to report to the PSC
and inform potential action.


4. (C) Djinnit noted that the Government of Chad had failed
to cooperate with a previous AU mission to both Chad and
Sudan, which was led by Special Representative Baba Gana
Kingibe. Although Chad subsequently apologized for not
taking proper advantage of the mission to state its case, the
Commission lacked sufficient evidence to condemn Sudan at the
April 13 PSC, Djinnit said.


5. (C) Djinnit added that Chadian civil society had welcomed
the AU's call for dialogue. He noted that not all aspects of
the situation in Chad could be attributed to Sudan; some
involved relations with internal actors. He said that
Chad-Sudan relations are also being dealt with in the Tripoli
Agreement context.

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HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SUDAN
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6. (C) Using ref B points, DCM emphasized the need to open
delivery of humanitarian services in Sudan and asked the AU
to weigh in with the GNU following a series of obstructionist
measures it placed on humanitarian groups in Darfur. Djinnit
responded that he will request the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS)
and the humanitarian office to coordinate a plan of action in
light of the stated AU commitment to improve the humanitarian
situation in Darfur.


7. (C) Djinnit added that he will use USG points to brief AU
Commission Chairperson Konare and would draft terms of
reference (TOR) for the March 10 PSC-mandated committee of
heads of state that will engage the GNU, he stated.

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TRANSITION PLANNING
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8. (C) DCM noted that delays to the UN transition planning
mission to Darfur as a result of President Bashir's failure
to authorize the mission will make it difficult for partners
to muster appropriate pledges when the AU convenes an AMIS
pledging conference. Djinnit noted that pledges should use
the September 30 deadline set by the PSC as the point of
reference and said that the AU will review the status of the
Abuja political talks at the end of April.


9. (C) Djinnit expressed regret, but not surprise, that

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Bashir did not give UN ASG Annabi the green light he sought
to deploy the planning mission. He noted that the AU intends
to work closely with the USG to get a political agreement,
but that the UN could avail itself of new joint AU-UN
planning mechanisms put in place in Khartoum and El Fasher to
inform transition planning in the absence of a full-fledged
mission. Djinnit said that the AU cannot politically serve
as cover for a covert UN planning mission, but expressed the
belief that the UN could gather relevant information using
joint mechanisms. He reiterated the PSC decision to proceed
with transition, as well as its conviction that securing an
agreement in Abuja is the best means to facilitate
transition. Djinnit called for a united partner stance to
reach a political settlement without disrupting the
North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
HUDDLESTON