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.

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Desperate for Peace before Eid
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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."

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Ceasefire Commission
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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