Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1210
2006-05-23 07:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

D-DAY+6: DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

Tags:  PGOV MOPS KPKO PHUM UN AU SU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3858
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1210/01 1430756
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 230756Z MAY 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2907
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001210 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D AND AF A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2016
TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO PHUM UN AU SU
SUBJECT: D-DAY+6: DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

REF: KHARTOUM 1175

Classified By: Acting P/E Chief Michael Honigstein for reason: Section
1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001210

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D AND AF A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2016
TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO PHUM UN AU SU
SUBJECT: D-DAY+6: DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

REF: KHARTOUM 1175

Classified By: Acting P/E Chief Michael Honigstein for reason: Section
1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) Summary: The following outlines current activities
and events relating to the implementation of the Darfur Peace
Agreement (DPA):

-- Getting Abdel Wahid to Sign
-- AU Report Increased Arab Militia Activity
-- MFA Pledges DPA Support
-- Interview with Charge Makes Front Page
-- Charge Meets with Yasser Arman

--------------
Getting Abdel Wahid to Sign
--------------


2. (C) Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, Chairperson of the Sudan
Social Development Organization (SUDO) sent the embassy a
draft of a declaration developed by Darfur leaders following
the May 16 meeting with the Charge (reftel). Mudawi also
forwarded a draft Memorandum of Understanding from the SLA in
Abuja which it claims, if signed, would allow Abdel Wahid
al-Nur to sign the DPA. Both documents seek to clarify DPA
and make some additional demands, including a larger
commitment to the compensation fund and a redistribution of
positions for power sharing. The government could increase
the compensations fund within the agreement, but any changes
to power sharing would be a significant change. The donor
community will not make any contributions to the compensation
fund.


3. (U) Post has communicated to our contacts that the
agreement cannot be renegotiated at this time; they should
convince Nur to issue a statement outlining his reservations
regarding the agreement and then pledge to work within the
mechanism included in the DPA, such as the Transitional
Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA) and the Darfur-Darfur
Dialogue and Consultations (DDDC).

--------------
Reports of Increased Arab Militia Activity
--------------


4. (SBU) Both the AU and the UN have reported large
gatherings of Janjaweed in the vicinities of Khor Abeche,
Graida, Kutum, Zalinje, and Kabkabiya. In the Khor Abeche
area, the AU investigated a May 19 SLM attack on the Arab
village of Niteaga, which appears to be an effort to retrieve
rustled cattle. The AU prevented direct retaliation from
Arab militias in Niteaga, but UNDSS and NGO reported these
militias attacked the village of BajuBaju to the South. NGOs
have also reported Janjaweed attacks on May 21 and 22 in
Gereida. In response to questions from Post, the AU and UN
say that claims of government support to the Janjaweed are
unsubstantiated. The AU reports that government forces have
engaged Janjaweed in an area southeast of Jebel Marra.

--------------
MFA Pledges DPA Support
--------------


5. (U) On May 21, State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Al-Sammani Al-Waseela called a meeting of all foreign Chiefs
of Mission to provide a briefing on the talks in Abuja and
explain the Government of National Unity's (GNU) commitment
to its full implementation. The State Minister specifically
thanked AU Ambassador Kingibe and Charge Hume for their
efforts in making the agreement a reality. He said that the
GNU would not reopen the agreement to get additional support.



6. (U) Al-Waseela welcomed the UN engagement with the GNU
over the international body's role in peace and said it is
important that it is a partnership. He also emphasized that
Sudan does not just need troops, it needs engagement and
economic development. He said the marginalization of the
periphery is not by choice, it is due to a lackofresources.
Sudan would not refuse any help in developing its economy.

--------------
Interview with Charge Makes Front Page
--------------


7. (U) The Arabic-language Al-Sahafa, the second largest
newspaper in Sudan (and largest independent paper),published
a front-page interview with Charge Hume that focused on
sanctions, the example of Libya, the challenges of
implementing the DPA, and the need for UN troops. During the

KHARTOUM 00001210 002 OF 002


interview, the Charge explained that if Sudan wanted to
normalize relations, it would have to start with ending
genocide and implementing the DPA, as well as continue
counterterrorism cooperation. The Charge closed the
interview, reprinted almost verbatim, by pointing out the
great political opportunities that lie ahead: peace, national
unification, and elections in 2009.

--------------
Charge Meets with Yasser Arman
--------------


8. (C) Charge Hume met with SPLM parliamentary leader and de
facto Northern Sector chief Yasser Arman to discuss peace
talks in the East (septel) and ways the SPLM could support
DPA implementation. Arman explained that the SPLM was
already considering a meeting between Salva Kiir and Abdel
Wahid in Juba to convince him to sign the agreement.
HUME