SITREP 10 (D-DAY+9): DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001253

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR D AND AF A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO EAID UN AU SU
SUBJECT: SITREP 10 (D-DAY+9): DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT UPDATE

REF: A. KHARTOUM 1240

B. KHARTOUM 1207

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


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

-- Inter-SLA Birmaza Fighting Continues
-- Sudan Accepts Joint assessment Mission
-- Charge Holds Follow-Up with Kingibe
-- AMIS Delivers draft CONOPS
-- Car hijackings in Saraf Omar

--------------
Inter-SLA Birmaza Fighting Continues
--------------


2. (SBU) Fighting in the Minni Minawi stronghold of Birmaza
is continuing today, May 25, after a fighting on May 24
reportedly left 10 dead and another 15 wounded (ref A). Ali
Trayo, cousin of Minawi and his lead negotiator, called CDA
Hume from North Darfur and said that he was under heavy
attack from a coalition of the Sharif Harir, Ali Shogar, and
JEM, armed by regular Chad forces under Daoussa Deby. The
Embassy has raised this incident with AU Head of Mission
Kingibe, the UN, AMIS, and other members of the international
community. Kingibe told Charge Hume that he was considering
issuing a joint statement with UN SRSG Jan Pronk condemning
ceasefire violations.

--------------
Sudan Accepts Joint Assessment Mission
--------------


3. (U) During a briefing with Chiefs of Mission on May 25
(septel),Un Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said that the
government of Sudan has a greed to accept a joint assessment
team from the AU and the UN to look at current AMIS needs and
a possible transition to UN forces.

--------------
Charge Holds Follow-Up with Kingibe
--------------


4. (C) On May 26, CDA Hume, with USAID Director Almquist,
met AU Head of Mission Kingibe to follow-up his previous
meeting (ref B) and discuss USG support for DPA
implementation. A full account of the meeting will be sent
septel.

--------------
AMIS Delivers draft CONOPS
--------------


5. (SBU) AMIS delivered a draft of the revised concepts of
operations (CONOPS) under the DPA. The report calls for a
more robust force with strengthened command and control,
aggressive and intensive patrols, preventive deployments, and
the ability to interpose between fighting groups when
necessary. The new peacekeeping force would also do forceful
disarmament when necessary. The CONOPS reduces the number of
sectors from 8 to 3, with 4 battalions and a Brigadier
General in each sector that has tactical command. Other
additions to readiness include attack helicopter groups, a
platoon ready to deploy with one-hour notice to resolve
crises, and a quick reaction force in every sector that could
deploy on short notice and stay deployed for up to two weeks.

--------------
Car hijackings in Saraf Omar
--------------


6. (U) On May 23, shooting occurred between the Sudanese
Armed Forces (SAF) and men attempting to hijack an NGO
vehicle in Saraf Omar. One SAF officer was killed and at
least ten more people were injured. In the same region on
May 24, AMIS reported that suspected Chadian rebels stole a
vehicle belonging to a local commissioner. SAF soldiers
pursued were able to capture two of the thieves after
fighting that left two SAF and four culprits dead. This
follows a hijacking of an OXFAM vehicle in the town on May 10
. The driver in that incident is still missing.
HUME