DR. KHALIFA: GNU TAKING ACTION TO WIDEN SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001174 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR D AND AF A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS KPKO UN AU SU SUBJECT: DR. KHALIFA: GNU TAKING ACTION TO WIDEN SUPPORT FOR DPA AND ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION REF: KARTOUM 1164 Classified By: Acting P/E Chief Michael Honigstein for reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On May 17, Charge Hume requested a meeting with Government of National Unity (GNU) Presidential Advisor and Chief Darfur Negotiator Dr. Magzoub al-Khalifa to discuss the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The Charge told Khalifa of U.S. plans to support the DPA by assisting the African Union (AU) in building its capacity, helping disseminating factual information on the content of the DPA, and working with all the parties to the agreement to make it a success. ¶2. (C) Khalifa responded by detailing the GNU's efforts to meet with all groups in the Darfur in order to broaden DPA support, start implementation, deliver additional assistance, and ensure immediate security gains through coordination with Minni Minawi and the Arab Militias. Khalifa felt the biggest obstacles to peace were the supporters of Sadiq al-Mahdi and Hassan al-Turabi, but he believes the GNU will be able to handle them politically. He also said the government welcomes the recent UN resolution on Darfur and is ready to begin consultations on a UN force and its mandate. End Summary. -------------- Charge Outlines U.S. Position -------------- ¶3. (C) Charge Hume began by commending the GNU for its contribution of food aid and for removing the travel restrictions on NGOs. Charge said that the USG completely supports the agreement and is developing plans for expanding the capacity of the AU, militarily and administratively, so that it can meet its commitments. This would include assisting the AU in developing and disseminating information related to the DPA. The U.S. Military will soon send additional technical advisors to AMIS, and is arranging a visit from the regional military commander in Djibouti. ¶4. (C) The Charge then described his recent meeting with Darfur leaders (reftel),which was productive, and said that their major complaint was the lack of adequate individual compensation for victims of war. The Charge explained that the international community cannot be involved in direct compensation, but that it will continue to be very generous in its aid support. Overall, the Charge said, opposition to 
the DPA seems to be based on misinformation and propaganda, but this can still be countered. -------------- Expanding the Consensus, Solidifying Security -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Dr. Khalifa responded that he understood there was a lot of work to do to get a wide consensus, but the GNU is making progress through a broad outreach program to all groups. The government is still trying to get Abdul Wahid al-Nur to sign the DPA, but it is not waiting for him. Khalifa believes that Nur now realizes he made a mistake in not signing but has not found the way out. Khalifa has had difficulties negotiating with Nur because he does not seem to be familiar with the agreement. For example, Nur had recently demanded the inclusion of the rebels in the disarmament process, something that Khalifa had to point out was already there. Khalifa also explained that the government had been protecting Nur from Mini Minawi in Jebel Marra but would not continue to do so. ¶6. (C) Immediately before the meeting with the Charge, Khalifa had met with Minni Minawi's representatives to coordinate security and other efforts to implement and promote the agreement. He said that the GNU had also met with representatives from every Arab tribe in Darfur to build their support. The GNU warned the group that any breach of peace from any Arab militia would be met with immediate and strong action from the SAF, which is now an "army for peace." After this meeting, the Arab leaders issued a statement supporting the DPA and promising to promote it to their followers. ¶7. (C) Khalifa had also met with groups of Zagahwa, as well as leaders from various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, to encourage them to promote the agreement to their constituency. To support this effort, the GNU is preparing a DPA summary booklet for distribution. Additionally, high level members of the GNU would soon meet with various social committees to develop a strategy for building support among both Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees. KHARTOUM 00001174 002 OF 002 ¶8. (C) According to Khalifa, the DPA would benefit from continued strong international support, because it would help convince people on the ground that the agreement is real. For this reason, the GNU welcomed the recent UN Security Council resolution on Darfur and said the government is ready to begin consultations on a UN force. He said that the right force with the right mandate could help support to the efforts of the African Union and the GNU to implement the agreement. -------------- Delivering Peace Through Aid -------------- ¶9. (C) To ensure that the people see an immediate benefit from the peace agreement, Khalifa said the GNU is taking a variety of steps to make sure humanitarian assistance and development aid reach the people. The first step was the government contribution of 20,000 tons of food aid to the WFP, because cutting rations as peace takes hold is not a good signal. He is hoping that with an agreement, the international community would also increase its donations. ¶10. (C) The GNU wants to establish a more constructive relationship with the INGOs in Darfur. Khalifa believes that the INGOs have shown a better attitude since the peace deal was completed. The GNU decided to remove restrictions on INGO movements because of this change, the expected security gains, and the importance of delivering assistance as a peace dividend. He said that he had also coordinated with Minawi to make sure that several major roads around El Fashir, including the road to Tine, remained safe and open to allow for the delivery of humanitarian and development supplies. ¶11. (C) With the approaching rainy season, the GNU realizes it will be critical to start supporting farmers right away. For this reason, he said that the government will soon start distributing seeds and tools to people in both the villages and the camps, and will provide IDPs with secure farmland near the camps. Khalifa is aware of the calls for individual compensation, but explained that rather than the traditional legal concept of direct compensation, the government would also focus on supplying those affected by the war what they need to rebuild their lives. HUME