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