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 �00A; -------------- ¶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