MINAWI UPBEAT ON PEACE IN DARFUR, BUT NOT IN CHAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001478

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO UNM AU CH SU
SUBJECT: MINAWI UPBEAT ON PEACE IN DARFUR, BUT NOT IN CHAD


Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: SLA/M leader Minawi told the Charge he has
had few problems since signing the Darfur Peace Agreement
(DPA). However, Minawi,s troops continue to be harassed by
Chadian militiamen and JEM forces in West Darfur. Minawi
agreed to release Suleiman Jamous to his family under AU and
UN auspices, but did not set a date. He is looking forward
to the upcoming AU Joint Commission in Addis Ababa and to his
own visit to the White House in July. End summary.

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People Happy with Peace, Although IDPs Turned Against DPA
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2. (C) The situation in north and south Darfur has improved
after the DPA, SLM/A leader Mini Minawi told CDA Hume on June
19 in El Fasher. The people are &very happy8 with the
peace, though Abdel Wahid al-Nur,s faction has turned IDPs
at Kalma, Zam Zam, and Abu Shouk camps against the DPA.

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Mini Problems: Janjaweed Disarmament, Chadian/JEM Forces
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3. (C) Minawi said he has had only two &small problems:8
depending on the government to disarm the janjaweed, and
attacks by joint Chadian militia/JEM forces. The day after
he signed the DPA, a combined force of Chadian militiamen,
JEM troops, Sudanese &janjaweed,8 and &foreign
mercenaries8 attacked Minawi,s troops in north Darfur
State. Minawi has seen Chadian president Idriss Deby four
times in the past six weeks to stop the fighting, but Deby
replied that &peace is not in our benefit.8


4. (C) According to Minawi, these combined forces have had no
real identity until now. They are led by Sharif Habil,
funded and armed by the Chadian government, and recruit
fighters from IDP and refugee camps on both sides of the
Chad-Sudan border. They have recruited a number of child
soldiers. They attacked Minawi,s forces in northern West
Darfur State again on June 15-16, but quickly retreated back
across the border.


5. (C) Minawi had no information about an imminent attack by
Chadian anti-government rebels in southern West Darfur State,
though he believes they are supported by the Sudanese
government. The Chadian forces fighting him in northern West
Darfur State are a completely separate force, he said.


6. (C) Minawi also confirmed reports that a Libyan delegation
led by the Libyan ambassador to Sudan had visited Darfur on
June 18 to monitor conditions on the border.

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Suleiman Jamous to be Released, No Date Provided
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7. (C) Hume asked about Suleiman Jamous, who had been
detained by Minawi,s forces. Minawi complained that Jamous
had accused him of being aligned with Hassan al-Turabi,s
Popular Congress Party, but agreed to release Jamous to his
family under AU and UN auspices. He did not give a date.

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Mini Looks Forward to AU Joint Commission, White House Trip
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8. (C) Minawi said he is looking forward to the upcoming AU
Joint Commission for Darfur meeting in Addis Ababa, and was
sending his cousin Ali Traio to represent him. He is also
looking forward to his own visit to the White House in July.
He wants to transform the SLA/M from a group with &military
mentality8 to a viable political party. The UK is helping
the process by providing English teachers and media advisors,
and Minawi appreciates U.S. efforts to help him establish
offices in Khartoum and El Fasher.

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Ali Traio: Deby Supporting Chadian Militia, JEM Forces
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9. (C) In a separate meeting in Juba on June 22, Minawi,s
representative Ali Traio told Hume that Chadian President
Deby is adamant about supporting Chadian militia/JEM forces
in West Darfur, as retaliation for Sudan,s support of
Chadian anti-government rebels in the region. Now that
Minawi has signed the DPA with the government, Deby has no

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reason to help him. Ali also asked the United States to
provide increased &compensation8 for IDPs in Darfur, in
hopes of inducing Abdel Wahid al-Nur to join the DPA. Hume
responded that no one expected IDPs to return home and
rebuild their lives without adequate food, water, seeds, and
livestock, but that it would &very difficult8 for the
United States to give out cash. Hume urged Ali to discuss
these issues with A/S Frazer in Addis Ababa.
HUME