WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL - SOURCES OF FRAGILITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 000620

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W
USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AF/EA, DCHA
NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS
USMISSION UN ROME
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
NAIROBI FOR SFO
NSC FOR JMELINE, TSHORTLEY
USUN FOR TMALY
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI KAWC SU
SUBJECT: WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL - SOURCES OF FRAGILITY

REF: a) KHARTOUM 0452, b) KHARTOUM 2140, c) KHARTOUM 0491

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Summary and Comment
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1. A team of USAID staff and key USAID partners visited
Wau town in Western Bahr el Ghazal State and Aweil town
in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State from February 22 to 26.
The trip was part of a series of visits to areas of USAID
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian
Assistance (USAID/DCHA) programming to investigate causes
of fragility and how USAID/DCHA programs might reduce the
potential for conflict. This is the first of two cables
on the visit and covers meetings and issues raised in
Wau.


2. Interlocutors in Wau primarily voiced concern over
the large number of Fallata nomads entering the state
with cattle herds, trampling the season's cassava crop.
Residents also noted that nomads are armed and carry
Thuraya satellite phones. Residents expressed fear that
the nomads are motivated for a potential "land grab" that
could destabilize the area. Returnees face challenges
related to access to land, essential services, and
resolution of conflicts with host populations.


3. Support to Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) state
and county officials in Bahr el Ghazal is critical, as is
support to local authorities at the grassroots and
village level. The GoSS in Juba should be strongly urged
to get financial resources out to states and counties as
quickly as possible and to undertake projects that
directly help the people. USAID should continue to
support the community-based approach to the provision of
essential services with particular attention to the most
vulnerable war-affected populations, without regard to
their status (displaced, returnee, or resident). USAID
should also continue to support localized peace and
reconciliation efforts, including those that address
nomad-farmer relations, in Bahr el Ghazal and elsewhere
in Southern Sudan. End summary and comment.

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Background
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4. From February 22 to 26, USAID representatives and key
partners visited Wau town, the capital of Western Bahr El
Gazal State, to investigate how USAID programs might
reduce the potential for conflict and promote a
stabilizing environment to support the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA). The USAID team included
USAID/Khartoum's internally displaced persons (IDP)
returnee specialist, an Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster
Assistance (USAID/OFDA) southern sector program officer,
the Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) southern
sector team leader, and an education specialist. Three
staff from USAID/OTI partner Development Alternatives
Inc. (DAI),and one representative from USAID partner
PACT, also participated in the visits. USAID/DCHA is
supporting a number of NGOs and U.N. agencies in Western
Bahr el Ghazal in sectors that include water and
sanitation, health, and livelihoods.

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Wau Town Meetings
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5. The USAID team held numerous meetings with
implementing NGO partners, U.N. partners, and GoSS
officials, including the Deputy Governor, to discuss the
potential for conflict and factors affecting stability in
Western Bahr El Ghazal. In addition, on February 23,
USAID held a general meeting at Peace Hall for more than
20 participants, including GoSS officials from the Sudan
Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) and Ministry
of Education; representatives from USAID-funded NGOs such
as International Rescue Committee and CARE;
representatives from non-USAID funded NGOs such Islamic
Relief and Norwegian Church Aid; and representatives from
the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian

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Affairs, the U.N. Development Program, and the U.N.
Mission in Sudan.


6. Wau town was a Government of Sudan (GOS) garrison
town during the North-South civil war. The Sudan
People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) surrounded Wau in the
rural areas, so Wau was accessed via airlift that was
highly dependent on weather and airstrip conditions.
Food and commodities prices were high due to a narrow
private sector monopoly on commerce. Since the signing
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),road traffic
has opened, but land mines and poor road conditions still
limit access. Nonetheless, Wau is now contiguous with
the rest of the state, an important element in the peace
process. Despite this, the USAID team found that Wau is
still divided into Arab and non-Arab neighborhoods and
business districts, although some integration is visible
and freedom of movement is evident. GOS flags and GoSS
flags adorn the respective neighborhoods. Arabic remains
the dominant language of commerce. Most signs in Wau
town are in Arabic. (Note: The wall outside the SRRC
office has a signboard that reads "SRRC" in English, and
above it, written in larger Arabic script is "HAC," the
abbreviation for the northern Humanitarian Aid
Commission. End note.) Radio Omdurman plays loudly
everywhere. It is difficult to find someone who listens
to or has even heard of the USAID-funded Sudan Radio
Service that broadcasts in English. In summary, Wau town
still retains its garrison town character and looks
towards Khartoum rather than Juba for business, trade,
and transportation.

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Sources of Fragility
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7. Migration of Fallata nomads through the state and
invasion of nomad cattle into farmland: Nomad migration
routes have changed in recent years and cattle have
destroyed this season's cassava. This year citizens say
that the nomads are armed more heavily and have Thuraya
satellite phones, suggesting to some interlocutors that
there was another motive for their movement, such as land
grabbing. The persistent fear of nomads voiced in Bahr
el Ghazal (Ref A),Abyei County (Ref B),Unity State (Ref
C),and other areas that border nomad migratory routes is
understandable given shrinking resources in the north and
the inevitable pressure on land to the south. The
conflict in Darfur feeds this fear. The GoSS's capacity
to address this issue and other potential sources of
conflict is weak.


8. Proliferation of small arms: Although a civilian
disarmament campaign is underway throughout Bahr el
Ghazal, small arms continue to infiltrate the area.
(Comment: This might also invite protective arming by
the nomads against a perceived threat from the local
residents. End comment.)


9. Lack of essential services for hosts and returnees:
Essential services are lacking in Wau town and throughout
the state. As returnees and recently displaced IDPs
continue to pass through and settle in the state,
conflict may arise over limited resources and services.
To some extent, there is a clash of cultures between
returnees from the north and those who remained in the
south throughout the war years.


10. Land and plots for returnees and settlers in and
around Wau town: Land issues have not been addressed
adequately due to the lack of appropriate and equitable
laws pertaining to land and plot acquisition. Many
returnees may opt to settle in town for a variety of
reasons, such as lack of services in the rural areas and
the presence of landmines in rural areas.


11. Weak GoSS capacity: The capacity of the GoSS in Wau
town is limited, and it is unable to meet or manage the
expectations of the people.


12. Slow progress in implementing the CPA: This is a
major concern, and it was also obvious that the average

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citizen understands very little about the CPA.


13. Nonpayment of the army: As throughout the south,
there is concern about the nonpayment of the army and the
implications for civil order.


14. Tribalism and corruption: These issues continue to
be widespread. Traditional conflict between ethnic
groups such as the Fertit, Luo, and Dinka in Western Bahr
el Ghazal simmers both beneath and above the surface.

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Recommendations
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15. Traditional leaders need assistance in dealing with
inter-tribal matters, specifically relations with the
Fallata, and other issues that involve land, water, and
migration routes for cattle.


16. Provision of essential services, notably water and
sanitation, should be a high priority for the GoSS and
donors. Returnees should not be targeted for special
assistance, but rather assisted through an equitable,
community-based approach. Essential services should be
established as much as possible in rural areas to prevent
returnees from overwhelming Wau town.


17. Standing up an accountable GoSS state government
system is critical. People need to believe that
government is serving the needs of the people, not the
other way around. GoSS ministries should replace NGOs as
service providers as soon as possible. The GoSS must
incorporate traditional authority into new governing
structures.


18. Most of the population do not understand or are
unaware of the new administrative system of the GoSS.
Dissemination of the CPA as well as an explanation of the
GoSS administrative system is necessary. In addition,
some groups feel excluded from the CPA and perceive the
agreement as a power-sharing arrangement only for SPLM
and National Congress Party.


19. The first phase of the Disarmament, Demobilization,
and Reintegration (DDR) program is focusing on
registration of child soldiers, women associated with
armed groups, and the disabled. Some individual
disarmament is occurring in some states with weapons
being cantoned for later demobilization. However, the
most urgent priority for purposes of peace and stability
is the registration of the SPLA soldiers, so that payment
can be effected. Even veterans have yet to be retired
and have high expectations.


20. Grievances and revenge issues between groups need to
be confronted and addressed through reconciliation, rule
of law, and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms.

WHITAKER