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. -------------- CHAD - FOLLOW UP TO APRIL 13 PSC -------------- ¶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. -------------- AMIS MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION -------------- ¶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. -------------- -- 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. ADDIS ABAB 00001186 002 OF 002 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. -------------- AU WASHINGTON OFFICE, KONARE ITINERARY -------------- ¶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