SE NATSIOS MEETING WITH MINNI MINAWI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 002842

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER AND AF/SPG
NSC FOR PITTMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV AU SU UN
SUBJECT: SE NATSIOS MEETING WITH MINNI MINAWI

REF: A. KHARTOUM 02807


B. KHARTOUM 02811

Classified By: CDA Cameron Hume, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) In a December 10 meeting with SE Natsios, Senior
Assistant to the President and Sudan Liberation Movement
(SLM) leader Minni Minawi, accompanied by seven of his
advisors, re-iterated his plea for international assistance
for his struggling movement (reftels). In contrast to
reports the previous week, Minawi did not/not indicate that
he was considering withdrawal from the Darfur Peace Agreement
(DPA),and he emphasized that he wanted the SLM to transition
from a military to a political movement. Based on his most
recent trip to Darfur in November, Minawi claimed that he
still had strong public support in Darfur. SE Natsios
expressed his concern about the deteriorating security
situation. He told Minawi that in his discussions with
Sudanese officials he was emphasizing implementation of UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan's "phase one" and "phase two"

SIPDIS
packages for assistance to the African Union Mission in Sudan
(AMIS).


2. (C) Minawi expressed his doubts that the Sudanese
government had any interest in a peaceful solution to the
Darfur crisis, and predicted it would continue to allow chaos
in the region. He said that the recent violence in El Fasher
was indicative of the instability throughout Darfur. He was
skeptical that the situation would improve, even with the
accession of new signatories to the DPA, because of the
Sudanese government's lack of interest in implementing the
agreement. According to Minawi, this was exemplified by the
fact that the government had given "a free hand" to the
Janjaweed in Darfur's cities. The Sudanese government also
continued to foment factionalism within the rebel movements
to undermine the DPA. Minawi called the grassroots efforts
toward a commanders conference a "good step toward unity,"
though he criticized the African Union (AU) for its
ineffectiveness in stabilizing the region and facilitating
dialogue among the rebel groups.


3. (C) In a brief one-on-one meeting with SE Natsios, Minawi
renewed his request for USG support for his movement. He
said that as his supporters come under increasing strain,
they were likely to "cause trouble" and further increase
instability in Darfur. SE Natsios said that the USG was
exploring options for strengthening Minawi, but that he could
make no specific guarantees. He also said that he would
ensure that SLM/Minawi members were included in upcoming
political party development programs organized by the
International Republican Institute. (Comment: If the USG
decides to provide assistance to Minawi and his backers, it
should review such assistance on a quarterly basis,
contingent upon SLM/Minawi's continued adherence to the DPA
and support for a peaceful solution to the Darfur crisis.
End comment.)


4. (SBU) SE Natsios cleared this message.
HUME