DARFUR: AU AMBASSADOR SAM IBOK ON A CEASEFIRE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002494 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SE ENVOY NATSIOS, AF/SPG E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL SU SUBJECT: DARFUR: AU AMBASSADOR SAM IBOK ON A CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL REF: A. KHARTOUM 2479 ¶B. KHARTOUM 2489 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Cameron Hume; Reason: 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 6. ¶2. (U) Summary: CDA Cameron Hume met with African Union Ambassador Sam Ibok at the DPA Implementation office in Khartoum October 18. Ibok indicated that the GOS is desperate for a ceasefire, and that he supports concrete initiatives which can be implemented in the near future to change the situation on the ground. The CDA flagged the imminent visit of Special Envoy Andrew Natsios, and Ibok welcomed Natsios' interest in possible meetings with the AU both in Khartoum and El Fasher. End Summary. -------------- Desperate for Peace before Eid -------------- ¶3. (C) Ibok is skeptical of the effectiveness of the multitude of non-signatory conference proposals from the international community (reftel a) and various Sudanese groups. Ibok also cited an SPLM proposal to hold a non-signatory conference in Rumbek and a third agreement apparently drafted in part by Alex de Waal, adding wryly, "everyone is desperate to go to Addis." He discussed his recent trip to Jebel Marra where he met with Abdul Gassim, representing a splinter group of SLM/ Abdulshafie. Gassim presented Ibok with a new agreement to have SLM/ Abdulshafie sign up to the DPA. Ibok termed the document "crude" and was suspicious of its origins; suspecting the hand of Maghzoub al Khalifa. He said the Sudanese government is desperate and "wants something signed before Eid." -------------- Ceasefire Commission -------------- ¶4. (C) Following on the GOS' possible interest in an immediate ceasefire, Ibok stated that he had discussed with AU Force Commander General Luke Aprezi (reftel b) how to revive the Ceasefire Commission (CFC) and said Aprezi was in favor of bringing the non-signatories back to the table. However, he noted the SAF generals are opposed to any non-signatory representation on the CFC. Ibok supported a ceasefire agreement, and requested Embassy assistance on creating a ceasefire framework for South Darfur as a first step to stability in the South and reviving the CFC. ¶5. (U) With regard to violations, Ibok said that SLM Minni Minawi was very concerned about attacks on his forces in Gereida, and that he had advised him to raise such violations before the Ceasefire Commission. ¶6. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Ibok asked for technical assistance from a legal advisor to assist in preparatory work on the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation. He requested Melanie Khanna who he commended for her work at Abuja. HUME