AU-UN JOINT ASSESSMENT MISSION BRIEFS ON AMIS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001391 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016 TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR AU UN SU SUBJECT: AU-UN JOINT ASSESSMENT MISSION BRIEFS ON AMIS TO UN PKO TRANSITION (CORRECTED COPY) REF: KHARTOUM 00953 Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: During a June 11 briefing of the diplomatic community, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Djinnit and UN U/S General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno said their joint mission seeks to strengthen AMIS and prepare for a possible transition to a UN peacekeeping operation. During a lengthy discussion period, diplomats inquired about opposition to the Darfur Peace Agreement, Sudanese Government attitudes toward re-hatting, state sovereignty concerns, the need to publicize the Darfur peace Agreement, the importance of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue process in developing local ownership of the peace agreement, timelines for future actions, and the threat of jihad. End summary. -------------- -------------- AU-UN Mission to Strengthen AMIS and Prep for Transition -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In a June 11 briefing of the diplomatic corps at the UN compound in Khartoum, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Said Djinnit and UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno provided an overview of their joint assessment mission to Sudan and Chad. Guehenno, referring to the mission as a follow-up to the recent visits of UN A/SG Annabi (reftel) and UNSG Special Representative Brahimi, stated that this mission had two purposes: to strengthen the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) following the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and to prepare for a possible transition to a UN peacekeeping operation. ¶3. (C) Following meetings with the African Union in Addis Ababa, and with Sudanese government officials in Khartoum, the mission will travel to Darfur and Chad. The mission seeks to strengthen AMIS to provide a good foundation for future peacekeeping efforts; Guehenno said this would "broaden the strong core of the African element." Djinnit added that the mission would give impetus to implementation of the DPA, launching a process to explain it and to campaign for its support. -------------- Dip Corps Questions Darfur Situation -------------- ¶4. (C) UN SRSG Jan Pronk opened the session for questions from the diplomatic corps which responded as follows: -- Kenya: How do the UN and AU feel about the increasing number of those opposed to the DPA? Djinnit disagreed with this notion, and said that there were indications that Abdel Wahid might agree to sign. AU Special Representative Kingibe also disagreed, and added that the signing of a declaration of commitment to the DPA by members of Abdel Wahid's faction was a positive sign. As well, the Darfurian diaspora is increasingly favoring support for the DPA. Guehenno noted the need to address efforts to influence those in IDP camps against the DPA; he added that the DPA window remains open but involves risks. -- EU: What is the current Sudanese Government position on UN re-hatting? Guehenno replied that the Government wishes to discuss the matter further following the mission's visit to Darfur. All UN missions rely on good cooperation with host governments as a matter of legal and logistical necessity, he added, and the situation will be clearer following the visit to Darfur. Djinnit said that the Sudanese Government had not announced its position yet, and needed the outcome of the AU-UN joint assessment mission first. It does appreciate, however, that both the AU and UN are in active discussion. -- Nigeria: What do the AU and UN think about the opposition of Darfurian leaders to the DPA? Guehenno said that there was a recognizable division between those signed and unsigned. Some may fear deployments of UN peacekeepers. There is also a risk of political fragmentation in Darfur. Djinnit added that people were responding negatively to the DPA without having read it, even as occurred in Abuja during the peace talks. He said the mission had met with the Fur paramount chief to discuss the DPA, who saw its value despite his reservations. -- Libya: Is the UN aware of Sudan's concerns regarding its sovereignty and entry by foreign elements? Guehenno said that the principal of state sovereignty is a founding principal of the UN, and that the AU-UN mission involved KHARTOUM 00001391 002 OF 002 close collaboration with the Sudanese government as well as coordination with regional groups. Peacekeeping operations will require agreement by the Sudanese Government. UN involvement in Sudan is a signal of worldwide support for Darfur, not a substitute for the AU. The African component it at its core, and UN peacekeeping forces would complement it. This is similar to the situation in Sierra Leone, where the UN supported the ECOWAS peacekeeping operation. Djinnit reminded that Sudan had been unable to deal with the Darfur crisis unilaterally; in March 2004, Darfur was discussed internationally as an internal issue for Sudan to resolve. By May 2004, however, the AU Peace and Security Council differed, holding that Africa should "come and help." The key question is of capacity, scope, and magnitude. -- UK: The UK has offered media experts to assist in supporting the DPA. Does the Sudanese Government recognize the need to publicize the DPA? Djinnit said that the Sudanese Government wants an early DPA implementation. It does, however, need to help explain it. The AU-UN mission has the same objective. -- Germany: The DPA is not comprehensive; time did not allow detail and not all Darfurians are represented. There are deficiencies, hence the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation is important. Will the AU convene a conference in Darfur to reach out to the people? Djinnit said it is important to convey a sense of DPA ownership by the people; the AU is doing preparatory work to help ensure that the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation is owned and led by the people of Darfur. -- U.S.: The date of January 1, 2007, is now being used by the UN as a peacekeeping transition date. What is the near and medium-term calendar for related events? Guehenno said the AU Peace and Security Council would meet on June 27, the AU would hold a summit on July 1-2 in Banjul, and would furnish a joint report to the UN Security Council in the first half of July to allow it to make a final decision. The January 1, 2007 date derived from the need for at least six months for a transition from AMIS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which had to take into account the June to September rainy season in Darfur. Djinnit added that the timing of the process depended in part on the Sudanese Government, once issues are addressed and a political agenda is formed. Events would also include a July 7 pledging conference in Brussels. Enhancing logistical support and funding the transition will also take time. -- Uganda: If the AU and UN recommend a transition from AMIS to a UN peacekeeping operation and the Sudanese Government refuses, what is Plan B? Djinnit replied that it was not the AU's decision to make. Guehenno added that the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council would engage the Sudanese Government to explain the need for such a transition, "leaving it on the table" for it to decide. -- Kenya: What do the AU and UN think about the threat of jihad? Pronk said that the UN remained in regular contact with the Sudanese Government on this matter, and that the Government had stated it was aware of the concern and was controlling the situation. The Government wants to avoid this, and has taken measures to ensure that it does not occur. The UN also conducts its own threat assessments in New York. Kingibe added that the Sudanese Government should make a public statement to clarify its standing on this issue. ¶5. (C) AU Special Representative Kingibe closed with an expression of appreciation for the various contributions being made to support AU efforts to bring peace to Darfur. He noted that the AU benefited from a central pool from which to draw expertise and assistance; however, he made clear the need for AU coordination in managing the partnership's activities. HUME