DARFUR: SLA/M REACHES OUT TO ALL PARTIES

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002829 SIPDIS SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - TEXT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF AU SU SUBJECT: DARFUR: SLA/M REACHES OUT TO ALL PARTIES ¶1. Summary: SLM/Minawi representatives hosted a widely attended general meeting in El Fasher November 28-29 to discuss the progress of DPA implementation, new initiatives to bring signatory and non-signatory groups back to the negotiating table, and ways to work productively with the African Union Mission in Sudan. The event sought to reach out to all parties involved in the Darfur peace process and establish concrete recommendations for improving coordination and communication. End summary. -------------- - SLM General Meeting Reviews DPA, Peace Process -------------- - ¶2. SLM/Minawi representatives to the African Union held a General Meeting November 29-30 at the DPA Implementation Office. The event drew wide attendance, including representatives from the Ceasefire Commission (CFC),AMIS Deputy Head of Mission, AU Civilian Police (CIVPOL),Sudanese Government, UNMIS, and armed movements, including JEM Peace Wing and SLM/Free Will. SLM Chair Arko Suliman Dahia outlined objectives of the meeting: the progress of Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) implementation, cooperation between signatory and non-signatory parties on the peace process and the role of SLM/A representatives to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). In the final declaration and recommendations, participants agreed to form a SLA/M-chaired commite of signatory and non-signatory participants to negotiate with the Sudanese Government on DPA implementation. -------------- -------------- SLM Frustrated with Slow Pace of DPA Implementation -------------- -------------- ¶3. The SLM is committed to the DPA, said SLM/Minawi official Ali Mukhtar, but frustrated with the slow pace of implementation. "We signed the DPA for the safety and prosperity of Darfurians, to stop the loss of lives and end the tragic suffering," he said, "but you all know that the DPA has not progressed an inch, the only thing implemented is the appointment of the Senior Assistant to the President." He noted that vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly rely on the armed movements to provide them with "security, support, freedom, and democracy." ¶4. Major Salah Mahdi Hassan, Sudanese Government representative to the CFC, expressed his support for the SLA general meeting as a step toward DPA implementation. He said that such initiatives would speed up the restoration of peace and stability to Darfur, and added that the resolutions of this conference would be carefully considered by the Sudanese Government. -------------- -------------- Greater Coordination by Signatories & Non-Signatories -------------- -------------- ¶5. JEM Peace Wing representative Mohammed Bashir Ahmed expressed his appreciation for the presence of all the different movements despite their differences. He said JEM refused to sign the DPA because it "does not respond to the needs and aspirations of the majority of Darfurian people." Expressing JEM's readiness to negotiate future solutions, he added that JEM is not an opponent to peace, and believes that "armed conflict will never lead to peace." Ahmed reaffirmed the JEM's commitment to the N'Djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement and called on all armed movements to observe a cessation of hostilities and show good faith in negotiating for peace. ¶6. The delay in implementation of the DPA has increased distrust between the parties, said SLM/A Free Will representative Jamal Abdel Rahman Abdalla, and consequently lowered interest by other rebel groups to sign it. He said that the major complicating factor is a lack of coordination between the Sudanese Government and the signatories. He called on the signatories of the DPA to improve communication channels. -------------- -------------- AU: Safe Passage for Humanitarian and Fuel Convoys -------------- -------------- ¶7. The AU CIVPOL commissioner, RD Moeyana, argued that the AU is under-equipped, lacking basic technical support and a full mandate to protect IDPs. He requested that rebel forces reduce military operations near the IDP camps and villages and desist from attacking humanitarian convoys. Moeyana highlighted upcoming AU sponsored seminars in Khartoum for the Sudanese Government, SLM/A, and international partners to support community policing. He also urged the SLM/A political section to submit lists of nominees to be considered for the CIVPOL commission. ¶8. AU Chief of Joint Logistics, Col. Michael Kamuzu, also detailed challenges facing the AU and specifically mentioned difficulties with fuel shortages and transport. He discussed a recent hijacking attempt on one of the fuel convoys on the Nyala to El Fasher road, and noted the difficulties these attacks present. Kamuzu asked the armed factions to give AU fuel convoys safe passage. -------------- Conclusions -------------- ¶9. The general meeting produced a two-page declaration and 26 recommendations (Note: post will forward text of both to AF/SPG via e-mail. End note.) The declaration listed participants' frustration with the lack of action on DPA implementation, the continuing deterioration of security conditions, remilitarization of the Janjaweed militia, the continuation of military operations between the Sudanese Government and non-signatories, and associated attacks on civilians. Participants also mentioned problems facing SLM/A representatives working with the African Union and security challenges to the work of the AU and humanitarian relief agencies. Significantly, the declaration expresses concern over the dedication of the Sudanese Government in implementing the Darfur Peace Agreement. ¶10. Recommendations range from the very specific to very broad, including improving the SLM/A's relationship with the AU and DPA non-signatories. Several recommendations urge strengthening a reciprocal relationship between the SLM/A with the AU to support the AU's mission, while calling for administrative and logistical support for SLM/A CFC representatives. Most notable are recommendations to improve communication and forming a committee of DPA signatory and non-signatory parties to negotiate with the government. The SLM/A also recommended creating political offices in the three Darfur states and establishing media programs. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶11. The final declaration clearly enumerates the frustrations of all parties, and their recommendations could help to resolve some issues. However, it remains to be seen whether the SLM/A will be able to maintain momentum due to the recent flare up of violence in El Fasher. In conversations on the margins of the general meeting, mid-level SLA/M contacts noted the importance of commencing DPA implementation and not waiting for the Sudanese Government to take action. If the new SLM/A-chaired committee of signatory and non-signatory parties is established and develops a platform for negotiation, it could prove a useful tool to improve communication among all parties. End comment. HUME