AU SEIZED WITH CHAD-SUDAN AND SUDAN HUMANITARIAN

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. -------------- CHAD-SUDAN FACT-FINDING -------------- ¶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. -------------- HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SUDAN -------------- ¶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. -------------- TRANSITION PLANNING -------------- ¶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 ADDIS ABAB 00001055 002 OF 002 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