SUDAN: MFA ON AVERTING FURTHER VIOLENCE IN DARFUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001009 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: MFA ON AVERTING FURTHER VIOLENCE IN DARFUR REF: STATE 66151 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On April 27, Charge served reftel demarche on increasing violence in the Geraida area on MFA Americas Director Osman Dirdieri in the absence of both President Bashir and Foreign Minister Lam Akol. Dirdieri promised to raise the talking points to the acting Foreign Minister and to "upper echelons." (Note: Charge left written points. End note.) He responded that, although he did not have details, violence in the Geraida area was not new. He stated that the Sudanese Government had notified the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) regarding its troop movements, which he said were in response to the rebel siege of Geraida. Dirdieri stated that the Government was practicing self restraint, and agreed that an eruption of violence was in no one's interests. ¶2. (C) The Charge stressed that it was important to translate the anticipated Abuja agreement to peace on the ground, for the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rebels to refrain from violence, and for AMIS to become more effective to carry out its role. Dirdieri added that Government troops seek to pacify the situation, and that pressure should also be brought to bear on the rebels. The Charge noted that we have engaged the rebel leaders repeatedly in Abuja on the need for restraint. STEINFELD