SPLM PARTY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - EXPAND LINKAGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002344

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM SU
SUBJECT: SPLM PARTY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - EXPAND LINKAGES
AND KEEP UNITY



1. (C) Summary: Senior SPLM members say they are focused on
expanding the party by reaching out to the Mesiriya in Abeyi,
Nubans in South Kordofan, and groups in Darfur where they see
party support growing. Some SPLM leaders discreetly are
exploring the possibility of a trilateral dialogue ) SPLA,
South Africa,s ANC, and the NCP ) to address Darfur issues.
GoSS President Salva Kiir is skeptical, and has yet to bless
this initiative. The SPLM is worried about the potential for
violent sparks between the Dinka and SAF soldiers in Abyei to
reignite the war. The SPLM is grappling with continuing the
practice of nominating a slate of ministerial candidates vice
individual vettings by Parliament. Kiir is seeking to avoid
any actions that would facilitate party divisions. CG urged
a more robust Avian Influenza response. End Summary.

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SPLM Officials Describe Efforts to Build Party
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2. (C) During a dinner hosted by CG at her residence on
September 19 with SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, Acting
Minister for Regional Cooperation Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho,
and Minister for Information, Radio, and Television Dr.
Samson Lukare Kwaje, discussion focused on the SPLM,s
efforts to build the party and forge linkages with other
groups nationally. Cirino said the SPLM is very popular in
Abyei and the Nuba Mountains, and has support elsewhere in
South Kordofan, which the party intends to build on. He also
noted that there is a brewing conflict in the Nuba Mountains
over the governorship of South Kordofan State, which SPLM
holds at present pursuant to the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA). The National Congress Party (NCP) currently
holds the position of speaker of the State Assembly; the
party looks forward to its 18-month rotation of the
governorship as well, which will commendence in early 2007.
Minister Samson conceded that the SPLM had not used the South
Kordofan governorship effectively, but indicated that SPLM
was not prepared to give it up.

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Interest in Trilateral Dialogue ) SPLM, ANC, and NCP
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3. (C) Cirino also told CG privately about efforts by some
senior SPLM members to set up a &trilateral dialogue8
between the SPLM, South Africa,s ANC, and the NCP to help
address Darfur, in response to questions on who in the region
had influence with Khartoum. According to Cirino, President
Mbeki has a good working relationship with Khartoum, where he
has paid official visits regularly. The NCP respects South
Africa,s accomplishments, and the ANC,s capacity building
program with SPLM ministers has helped build strong ties
between the two parties. While the idea of a trilateral
dialogue has the support of SPLM Secretary General Amum, Kiir
is not convinced of the wisdom of this idea yet, according to
Cirino. The issue is still under discussion within the SPLM.

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SPLM ) High Hopes for National Assembly Elections
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4. (C) Pagan said he believes the SPLM will win a majority of
seats in the 2008-2009 National Assembly elections. He is
pleased with the International Republic Institute,s capacity
building program for the SPLM, and spoke highly of the recent
U.S. communications training program in which he recently
participated. The Secretary General also confided, however,
in a separate discussion that he would vote for Southern
separation at this point.

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SPLM Aware of Dinka/SAF Tensions
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5. (C) The SPLM is concerned about the potential for
escalating violence in Abyei as a result of Dinka and Sudan
Armed Forces (SAF) fighting. There have reportedly been
attacks on SAF soldiers in the sensitive area, wherein the
Abyei Boundaries Commission findings are yet to be
implemented 14 months following their presentation to the
Presidency. It would only take &10 to 20 Dinka to kill some
SAF soldiers8 to provoke a major SAF retaliation and
&reignite war8 in the area, according to interlocutors.

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SPLM Debating Ministerial Selection Process
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6. (C) The SPLM members noted some internal party discussion
about the wisdom of continuing to present a slate of
ministerial candidates for parliamentary approval, as
provided for in the Southern Sudan Constitution. Some

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parliamentarians are pressing for the freedom to reject
unacceptable candidates. There is also a concern that the
practice of having ministers as members of Parliament is
stifling dissent in the legislature. Members are reluctant
to criticize the executive branch for fear of losing party
status and favor. Kiir reportedly does not want a system of
individual confirmations of ministers because of the
potential to create party divisions.

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CG Calls for Action on Avian Influenza
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7. (C) CG noted the need to increase activism in the Ministry
of Animal Resources and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health
to address the Avian Influenza outbreak in Juba, and
expressed the readiness of USG and others to provide
assistance. The SPLM members appeared to take that message
on board.
HUME