DARFUR: JAMOUS OUT; UNMIS FLIGHT OPERATIONS DOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001488

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR D, AF A/S FRAZER, AND AF/SPG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2011
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SU UN
SUBJECT: DARFUR: JAMOUS OUT; UNMIS FLIGHT OPERATIONS DOWN

REF: KHARTOUM 1478

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CAMERON HUME; REASON: 1.4(B) AND (D).


1. (C) SLA/M Leader Mini Minawi released former SLA/M
humanitarian coordinator Suleiman Jamous to UN Mission in
Sudan (UNMIS) officials in North Darfur on June 22, as
promised (reftel). Jamous did not appear to have been
mistreated while in custody, according to UNMIS, but does
suffer from a bad back. On June 24, UNMIS flew Jamous in a
UN aircraft to an UNMIS medical facility in Kadugli, South
Kordofan, for treatment, with the personal approval of SRSG
Jan Pronk. UNMIS admits it did not notify the Government
that it was transferring Jamous.


2. (C) In response, the Government announced late on June 24
it was "suspending" all UNMIS activities in Darfur, effective
immediately, and summoned UNMIS officials for an explanation.
Other UN operations in Darfur, including WFP and UNICEF
humanitarian operations, have not been affected. UNMIS human
rights, protection, and civil affairs officials are
continuing their work in El Fasher, but not outside the city.
Some NGO staff in West Darfur have also reported they were
not allowed to go to IDP camps without permits, though this
appears to be an isolated incident.


3. (C) As of June 26, all UNMIS flight operations to, from,
and within Darfur have been grounded, and UNMIS personnel are
not allowed to travel. Exceptions may be made for emergency
medical flights, with prior approval; the Government has also
approved one flight late on June 26 for Minawi's staff to fly
to Khartoum for meetings. WFP Humanitarian Air Services,
frequently used by Embassy and NGO staff, are operating as
usual, but are not allowed to board UNMIS personnel.


4. (C) A senior UN official told us mid-day June 26 that
Pronk deputy Taye Zeheroun had just spoken with MFA U/S
Mutriff Sadeq. They had made some progress in defusing the
situation, with both sides showing some flexbility -- UN
promising to be more rigorous in filing passenger lists, and
the GNU willing to consider ending the UNMIS ban.


5. (C) UNMIS' decision to transfer Jamous appears to have
unnerved Sudan's intelligence services, which keeps a close
eye on rebel movements in Darfur and UN operations throughout
the country. A senior UN official told the Embassy they do
not want to make a big fuss over what they hope will be a
temporary action. However, they are also concerned Sudanese
intelligence authorities might now attempt to seize Jamous in
Kadugli.
HUME