SITREP 9 (D-DAY+8): DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001240

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D AND AF A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2016
TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO EAID UN AU SU
SUBJECT: SITREP 9 (D-DAY+8): DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

REF: KHARTOUM 1230

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):

-- Inter-SLA Fighting Reported in Birmaza
-- Charge Discuss UN Deployment with Brahimi
-- Mudawi Tours Darfur for DPA Support
-- HAC Demands Technical Agreements from INGOs

--------------
Inter-SLA Fighting Reported in Birmaza
--------------


2. (SBU) UNDSS reports that fighting has broken out in the
Minni Minawi stronghold of Birmaza, just north of Kutum in
North Darfur. The UN reports that they spoke with Musa
Mukhtar, an SLA member in Birmaza, who explained that the
attackers were also SLA, but at this time not allied with
Abdel Wahid Nur. Earlier, unconfirmed reports say that
Minawi is detaining SLA member Suleiman Jamoos in Birmaza.


3. (C) Charge Hume will raise this attack with African Union
(AU) Ambassador Kingibe tomorrow, May 25. He will ask for
AMIS to investigate this attack and report to the Ceasefire
Commission. He will ask Kingibe to consider making a clear
public statement that all sides, whether signatories to the
peace agreement or not, must respect the ceasefire and that
these violations will not be tolerated. The Defense Liaison
Office will raise this incident with its contacts in AMIS
tonight.

--------------
Charge Discusses UN Deployment with Brahmini
--------------


4. (C) On May 23, CDA Hume requested a meeting with UN
Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to discuss the prospects of
transition to a UN peace-keeping force in Darfur. Brahimi
was accompanied by A/SYG for peacekeeping Hedi Annabi. For
an account of the meeting, please see reftel.

--------------
Mudawi Tours Darfur for DPA Support
--------------


5. (SBU) Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, Chairperson of the Sudan
Social Development Organization (SUDO),is currently
traveling around Darfur to meet with key opinion leaders in
the Fur, Masalit and other communities not yet supporting the
DPA. We understand that the Magdoom of the Fur Tribes, the
King of the Masalit, a leader of the Daju tribe and two other
eminent persons are preparing to meet with Abdul Wahid, who
is reportedly in Nairobi, to urge him to sign the DPA. USAID
is supporting Mudawi's travel and is considering supporting
the second delegation.

--------------
HAC Demands Technical Agreements from INGOs
--------------


6. (U) On May 22, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in
Nyala called a meeting of all international aid agencies
(INGOs) operating in South Darfur state. The HAC threatened
to suspend the operations of any INGO that did not have a
technical agreement approved by the end of the week. Before
these agreements are completed, the HAC requires full
disclosure of staff salary, contracts, budgets, contributions
from donors, and registration of all telecommunication
equipment. INGOs fear that the HAC will use this information
to create additional administrative and financial obstacles.
The UN and many INGOs have expressed concern over government
measures that hinder the execution of humanitarian aid
programs. The actions of the governor of South Darfur and
the local HAC commissioner, in particular, have frequently
prevented delivery of aid. The USAID Director raised the
issues of government obstruction with both State Foreign
Affairs Minister Waseela and Minister for International
Cooperation Tajani, who each requested a list of concerns for
them to investigate.
HUME