DARFUR AND CHAD: DEMARCHES DELIVERED TO AU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001186

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO SU CD AU
SUBJECT: DARFUR AND CHAD: DEMARCHES DELIVERED TO AU

REF: A. STATE 64735


B. STATE 64129

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. JANET WILGUS. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND
(D)


1. (C) Summary: The African Union (AU) expects to produce a
well-informed report on the internal situation in Chad and
allegations of Sudanese involvement in the attempted coup as
a result of its fact finding mission which concluded April
26, AU Commission Chairperson Chief of Staff Amb. John Kayode
Shinkayie told Charge the same day. Shinkaye undertook to
investigate AMIS response to attacks on civilians in Darfur
and promised follow-up at Charge's urging to issue a request
to partners to help enhance AMIS effectiveness. The AU
expects its investigation into allegations of AMIS misconduct
to conclude in mid-May. Amb. Shinkayie will soon travel to
Washington to move forward opening of the AU's
representational office. End summary.

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CHAD - FOLLOW UP TO APRIL 13 PSC
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2. (C) Charge notified Shinkayie of U.S.-EU plans to deliver
a joint demarche on ending Sudan's support for Chad's rebels
and expressed hope that the AU would soon be in a position to
join with us in one voice. Shinkayie mentioned that the AU
fact-finding team which is in Ndjamena had met with AF DAS
Yamamoto. Shinkayie expressed concern that the internal
situation in Chad is not suitable for elections and that
holding elections May 3 will bring trouble.


3. (C) According to Shinkayie and Acting Peace and Security
Commissioner El-Ghassim Wane, the AU team met with Chadian
opposition and members of the ruling party, but not with
President Deby. Wane believes the team has enough
information, including photographs submitted by Chad as
evidence, to produce a comprehensive report pursuant to the
April 13 Peace and Security Council (PSC) decision.
Shinkayie noted that AU Commission Chairperson Konare will
first review the report and decide on what action to take.
He expressed willingness to coordinate actions with the U.S.

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AMIS MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION
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4. (C) Per ref B, Charge expressed concern with the
deteriorating situation in Darfur and with AMIS failure to
respond to recent attacks on civilians near AMIS base camps
in Shaeria and Tawilla. Charge urged the AU to send clear
instructions to AMIS commanders and peacekeepers to actively
respond to reports of attacks on civilians and noted that
NATO and UN support to enhance AMIS capability could be
expedited if the AU requests.


5. (C) Amb. Shinkayie confessed to not being aware of the
situation, but undertook to contact the Force Commander. He
said that the AU shares U.S. concern if the situation is
deteriorating and AMIS is not properly responding. Wane said
that he had read AMIS reports of the attacks and was pursuing
Peace and Security Commissioner Djinnit's request to the
Force Commander to lay out a concrete and implementable plan
of action to improve implementation of AMIS mandate. DITF
Political Unit Head Solomon Gomes also expressed concern at
AMIS reports of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) helicopter
gunships and Antonov aircraft being used near Greida. He
said that he was preparing a memo for AU leadership action
since SAF actions are in violation of the cease fire
agreement. Charge urged the AU to immediately send the
promised request to all partners to implement Joint
Operations Center (JOC) set-up and otherwise enhance AMIS
capability. Note: Post is seeking a meeting with Peace and
Security Commissioner Amb. Said Djinnit April 28 to raise
reftel points as well as State 66151. In follow-up to recent
Darfur Liaison Group Ambassador-level meetings with Djinnit,
post will request Djinnit's immediate action to release the
letter asking all partners to provide JOC assistance, and to
put in place a plan to better implement the AMIS mandate.
End note.

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AU INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF AMIS MISCONDUCT
-------------- --


6. (C) Asked by Charge for an update into AU investigations
into allegations of AMIS sexual misconduct, Gomes said that
the AU team, led by Women, Gender and Development Director
Winnie Byanyima has already engaged in initial consultations.

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The team will start work in earnest on May 1 and expects to
complete is investigation by mid-May. Amb. Shinkayie said
that the AU is taking the allegations very seriously and will
make the report available once it is completed.

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AU WASHINGTON OFFICE, KONARE ITINERARY
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7. (SBU) Amb. Shinkayie said he will travel to Washington
before mid-May to move forward plans to open an AU
representational office. Shinkayie noted that Konare wants
to open the office as soon as possible, but the AU has had
difficulties finding appropriate office space. He reiterated
AU hope that the Washington office will ultimately be granted
diplomatic status. Charge noted that the U.S. is also moving
forward with plans to establish a U.S. Mission to the AU and
is working with the Ethiopian government on privileges and
immunities. Comment: Post recommends AF seek an appointment
with Shinkayie while he is in Washington. End comment.


8. (SBU) According to Shinkayie, Konare will be in Addis
briefly from April 29 to meet with Japanese PM Koizumi and
will travel to Abuja May 1 for the Special AU Summit on
HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Konare will return to
Addis May 6 and plans a trip to Norway and Denmark before
mid-May. Konare will likely travel to London in late May.

WILGUS