THE BURGEONING DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN JUBA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001205

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ODIP SU
SUBJECT: THE BURGEONING DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN JUBA

KHARTOUM 00001205 001.2 OF 002



1. Summary. A growing number of diplomatic mission of
various description have arrived in Juba, with others
waiting in the wings. By the end of 2006, we expect as
many as seventeen representations of various description
could be present here. The lease/construction of office
space and residential quarters poses a major challenge
for countries interested in operating in the South Sudan.
End summary.

--------------
Already on the Ground
--------------


2. Listed below in order of arrival are countries and
organizations already operating in Juba, to exclude the
omnipresent specialized agencies of the UN.

-- Uganda: The Ugandan CG presently consists of two full-
time staff lodged in a cramped two-room bungalow of the
Juba Hotel. The Ugandan CG, who has no house, is rarely
in Juba unless he is accompanying visiting high-level
delegations.

-- US: We have been officially present since January 3.

-- Kenya: Three Kenyans arrived in February 2006 to
begin renovation of a residence and office. The CG
designate has visited but is not yet resident.

-- Egypt: There are six Egyptians living in a small
apartment above a bank. The Egyptians withdrew following
the fatal confrontation between Sudanese refugees and
Egyptian security forces late last year, but they
returned in early April. The new Egyptian CG is
Abdelghaffar Eldib, formerly Cairo's ambassador to
Lusaka.

-- Joint Donor Office: More of a development than
diplomatic entity, the Joint Donor Office includes
representatives of the UK, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and
Norway. Germany and Japan are also reportedly
considering participation. Liz Gaere, a British citizen
seconded from DFID, arrived in mid-March. Overseen by a
Dutch contractor, construction of an office/residential
compound proceeded in record time and is due to be
officially opened on May 29.

-- UK: A single UK "antenna" operates on foot from a
tent in the AFEX camp, transplanted from Rumbek in early

2006.

-- Holland: The single Dutch representative, another
Rumbek transplant, departed in late April but will
reportedly be replaced. There are talks of creating a
joint consular facility that would include Holland, the
UK and possibly others.

--------------
On the Way
--------------


3. The following countries plan beginning operations in
Juba in the near future:

-- Eritrea: CG encountered former Eritrean Charge to
Khartoum Negash, who informed that he will serve as the
Eritrean Charge in Juba as soon as accommodations are
available.

-- Norway: A lone Norwegian who lived in the AFEX camp
was medevaced in late 2005, but a three person Norwegian
Consulate is slated to open next month. They have leased
and are rehabilitating two buildings that belong to the
Archdiocese of Juba, including a nice residence.

-- South Africa: The South Africans plan to open a
facility in June. CG met with an advance team in March,
and South Africa's Ambassador to Khartoum visited last
week to officially announce the arrival.


KHARTOUM 00001205 002.2 OF 002


-- France: The French Ambassador and a delegation that
included Jacques Gerard, the French "representative" in
Juba, arrived on May 17. The French plan to place Gerard
in Juba soon but as yet have not accommodations or office
space.

-- EU: The EU received permission from the Government of
Southern Sudan (GoSS) to take back a former EC project
headquarters formerly held by Eastern Equatoria state, a
site adjacent to the USAID office complex. Renovation
has not begun; the actual arrival date is unknown.

--------------
Rumored on the Way
--------------


4. These countries may open some type of facility in the
near future.

--India: The Indian Ambassador told the French
Ambassador that India will open an office in Juba.
Details unknown.

--Ethiopia: The Ethiopians will send their former
Ambassador to Kampala to open a consulate in Juba,
according to the GoSS Ministry of Regional Cooperation.

-- Libya: Negash told CG that Libya plans to open a
representation in South Sudan. Timing and details
unknown.

-- Zimbabwe: CG ran into former Zimbabwean MFA Protocol
Director and current ambassador to Kampala and another
official from Harare in March. They confirmed that
Zimbabwe is interested in opening an office to take
advantage of potential trade and commercial
opportunities.

-- Democratic Republic of Congo: According to the
Ministry of Regional Affairs, DRC has expressed its
desire to come to Juba. GoSS Regional Affairs Minister
Nhial Deng Nhial will reportedly visit Kinshasa to
discuss the details.


5. There could be as many as seventeen diplomatic
offices of one description or another operating in Juba
by the beginning of 2007. Currently, the principal
challenge is finding adequate residential and office
space, which runs at a premium in the tight real estate
market of Juba. There is increasing informal contact
between the various countries/groups represented, and the
Egyptian CG has suggested some sort of ad hoc diplomatic
group, with the U.S. CG as the de facto dean, with all of
four and a half months of Juba experience under his belt.

HUME