Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM2688
2006-11-16 12:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
DARFUR ANALYSIS: SPLM MAINTAINS SUPPORT OF UNPKO
how-toVZCZCXRO0778 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #2688 3201217 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 161217Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5258 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002688
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DETP FOR AF/SPG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR ANALYSIS: SPLM MAINTAINS SUPPORT OF UNPKO
REF: A. KHARTOUM 02280
B. KHARTOUM 02433
C. LONDON 7681
Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002688
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DETP FOR AF/SPG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR ANALYSIS: SPLM MAINTAINS SUPPORT OF UNPKO
REF: A. KHARTOUM 02280
B. KHARTOUM 02433
C. LONDON 7681
Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)
continues to vocally support a UN peace-keeping operation
(UNPKO) in Darfur. First Vice President and President of the
Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir recently told
an Arabic-language paper in London that his position is clear
and unwavering, but added that the National Congress Party
(NCP) must agree to any action. At the September SPLM
Executive Committee meeting, one of two policy statements
affirmed support for UN troops. At the same meeting, the
SPLM ordered foreign Minister Lam Akol to stop publicly
rejecting a UN mission (Ref A). According to State Minister
at the Presidency Telar Deng, Kiir is now reportedly more
determined than ever to host a conference on non-signatories
in the near future.
--------------
SPLM Wants to Expand North
--------------
2. (C) Taking leadership in Darfur is in line with the SPLM's
plan to expand its base in the North. By building on the
image of the SPLM as the protector of all marginalized
Sudanese, created by late leader Dr. John Garang, the SPLM
hopes it can garner support among the disenfranchised
nationwide. This is especially important to northern sector
leaders such as Yassir Arman and Mansour Khalid, who would be
left isolated if the South separated.
-------------- --------------
SPLM Cons: Limited Capacity, Questionable Commitment
-------------- --------------
3. (C) The SPLM initially was slow to take a firm stand on
Darfur, largely because of worries that it was already
overstretched trying to implement the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) and establish the GoSS. Many in the party
also believed that rebuking the NCP so publicly could hurt
the little cooperation that existed on the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA). In fact, the SPLM stand has made it
appear impotent in the unity government and has further
strained its relationship with the NCP. Ibrahim Ahmad Umar,
NCP Vice Chairman, even threatened to abrogate the CPA over
this issue (Ref B).
4. (C) On the homefront, most of the SPLM's southern
constituency believe trying to gain political power in the
north is futile, that separation is inevitable, and that all
efforts should be on the CPA and developing the south. Kiir
has complained publicly and privately that the focus on
Darfur has shifted attention and resources that should be
helping to implement the CPA (Ref C).
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DETP FOR AF/SPG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR ANALYSIS: SPLM MAINTAINS SUPPORT OF UNPKO
REF: A. KHARTOUM 02280
B. KHARTOUM 02433
C. LONDON 7681
Classified By: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)
continues to vocally support a UN peace-keeping operation
(UNPKO) in Darfur. First Vice President and President of the
Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir recently told
an Arabic-language paper in London that his position is clear
and unwavering, but added that the National Congress Party
(NCP) must agree to any action. At the September SPLM
Executive Committee meeting, one of two policy statements
affirmed support for UN troops. At the same meeting, the
SPLM ordered foreign Minister Lam Akol to stop publicly
rejecting a UN mission (Ref A). According to State Minister
at the Presidency Telar Deng, Kiir is now reportedly more
determined than ever to host a conference on non-signatories
in the near future.
--------------
SPLM Wants to Expand North
--------------
2. (C) Taking leadership in Darfur is in line with the SPLM's
plan to expand its base in the North. By building on the
image of the SPLM as the protector of all marginalized
Sudanese, created by late leader Dr. John Garang, the SPLM
hopes it can garner support among the disenfranchised
nationwide. This is especially important to northern sector
leaders such as Yassir Arman and Mansour Khalid, who would be
left isolated if the South separated.
-------------- --------------
SPLM Cons: Limited Capacity, Questionable Commitment
-------------- --------------
3. (C) The SPLM initially was slow to take a firm stand on
Darfur, largely because of worries that it was already
overstretched trying to implement the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) and establish the GoSS. Many in the party
also believed that rebuking the NCP so publicly could hurt
the little cooperation that existed on the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA). In fact, the SPLM stand has made it
appear impotent in the unity government and has further
strained its relationship with the NCP. Ibrahim Ahmad Umar,
NCP Vice Chairman, even threatened to abrogate the CPA over
this issue (Ref B).
4. (C) On the homefront, most of the SPLM's southern
constituency believe trying to gain political power in the
north is futile, that separation is inevitable, and that all
efforts should be on the CPA and developing the south. Kiir
has complained publicly and privately that the focus on
Darfur has shifted attention and resources that should be
helping to implement the CPA (Ref C).
HUME