Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM437
2006-02-21 09:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
NEW AU COMMANDER IN DARFUR SHOULD VISIT WASHINGTON
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000437
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO UN AU
SUBJECT: NEW AU COMMANDER IN DARFUR SHOULD VISIT WASHINGTON
Classified By: CDA: Cameron Hume for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000437
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO UN AU
SUBJECT: NEW AU COMMANDER IN DARFUR SHOULD VISIT WASHINGTON
Classified By: CDA: Cameron Hume for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Maj. Gen. C.R.U. Ihakirhe (Nigeria),the new commander
of the AU peace-keeping mission in Darfur (AMIS),has staked
out a forward-leaning position for his troops. As he told
CODEL Pelosi on February 19, he is determined to "take
control of the area" that his troops operate in. His concept
of operations explicitly includes establishing security and
protecting civilians. In his first weeks as commander he
has reviewed the ongoing operations and decided that AMIS
would perform better if its operating areas were consolidated
and its lines of command and control were simplified.
2. (C) Ihakirhe wants to use the interim period before a
transfer of the peace-keeping operation to UN authority to
good purpose. According to the briefing presented to CODEL
Pelosi, he believes that an enlarged force of 14 battalions,
up from the current 8, should be the goal. However, he is
getting started with what he has. He sees a need for some
heavier weapons, better troop mobility, communications and
intelligence, but his preferred options do not include some
of the add-ons suggested by the UN. He is already working to
improve leadership within his ranks. The briefing, initially
presented by Maj. Mustapha (Ghana) made a strong, positive
impression on CODEL members.
3. (C) After the meeting CDA Hume asked Ihakirhe if he would
be willing to travel to Washington to brief administration
officials. Ihakirhe said he was ready to do so and would
look forward to an opportunity to share views on how
peace-keepers could best help to solve the Darfur crisis.
4. (C) Recommendaton: I strongly recommend that Ihakirhe and
Maj Mustapha be invited to Washington to brief on the current
security situation in Darfur and his interim plans to
strengthen AMIS. We should urge him to include a stop in New
York so that he can brief and share views with UN planners.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR D AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO UN AU
SUBJECT: NEW AU COMMANDER IN DARFUR SHOULD VISIT WASHINGTON
Classified By: CDA: Cameron Hume for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Maj. Gen. C.R.U. Ihakirhe (Nigeria),the new commander
of the AU peace-keeping mission in Darfur (AMIS),has staked
out a forward-leaning position for his troops. As he told
CODEL Pelosi on February 19, he is determined to "take
control of the area" that his troops operate in. His concept
of operations explicitly includes establishing security and
protecting civilians. In his first weeks as commander he
has reviewed the ongoing operations and decided that AMIS
would perform better if its operating areas were consolidated
and its lines of command and control were simplified.
2. (C) Ihakirhe wants to use the interim period before a
transfer of the peace-keeping operation to UN authority to
good purpose. According to the briefing presented to CODEL
Pelosi, he believes that an enlarged force of 14 battalions,
up from the current 8, should be the goal. However, he is
getting started with what he has. He sees a need for some
heavier weapons, better troop mobility, communications and
intelligence, but his preferred options do not include some
of the add-ons suggested by the UN. He is already working to
improve leadership within his ranks. The briefing, initially
presented by Maj. Mustapha (Ghana) made a strong, positive
impression on CODEL members.
3. (C) After the meeting CDA Hume asked Ihakirhe if he would
be willing to travel to Washington to brief administration
officials. Ihakirhe said he was ready to do so and would
look forward to an opportunity to share views on how
peace-keepers could best help to solve the Darfur crisis.
4. (C) Recommendaton: I strongly recommend that Ihakirhe and
Maj Mustapha be invited to Washington to brief on the current
security situation in Darfur and his interim plans to
strengthen AMIS. We should urge him to include a stop in New
York so that he can brief and share views with UN planners.
HUME