DARFUR: GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN USAID-FUNDED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000670 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR D, AF/SPG, AND AF/PD WHITE HOUSE FOR M. GERSON NSC FOR DR. COURVILLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KPAO OPRC SU SUBJECT: DARFUR: GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN USAID-FUNDED SUDANESE NGO Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CAMERON HUME; REASON: 1.4(B) AND (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- please see paragraph 8. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: Authorities in West Darfur State have closed the offices of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO),a USAID-funded NGO, days after the organization's chairman published an op-ed in the Washington Times and met with senior officials at the White House. SUDO has received over USD 300,000 in USAID/OTI grants, including USD 55,000 for human rights monitor training in West Darfur State and USD 248,000 for clothing distribution in the Darfur region. It remains unclear whether the move was ordered by authorities in West Darfur or in Khartoum, though SUDO operations in other parts of Sudan have not been affected. END SUMMARY. Local NGO Shut Down After Chairman Visits Washington -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) of West Darfur State shut down Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) offices in El Geneina and Zalingei on Saturday, March 11, according to SUDO officials. In a formal letter, the Commission accused SUDO of "working outside its mandate," and ordered the group to hand over all its assets, including vehicles and office equipment. The commission also closed a SUDO's heath clinic and food distribution center in West Darfur, and froze its local bank accounts. ¶4. (C) The move came days after SUDO's chairman, Dr. Madawi Ibrahim Adam, published an op-ed in the March 8 edition of the Washington Times calling for the appointment of a U.N. special envoy to Darfur. Madawi had been arrested on January 24 for establishing an unregistered organization in Kordofan, but was released on medical grounds on February 24; he attended a Sudan conference at Harvard University on March 2-3, and later met with senior officials at the White House. Madawi told us on March 16 that West Darfur police had said to SUDO staff that their offices were being closed "because your chairman is a criminal." USAID Grants to SUDO Exceed USD 300,000 -------------- ¶5. (C) SUDO has received a USD 55,000 USAID/OTI grant to train human rights monitors in El Geneina and Zalingei; USAID is also in the process of approving another USD 248,000 grant to distribute clothing to victims of violence in Darfur. SUDO also recently received a third USD 25,000 USAID/OTI grant for human rights training in Eastern Sudan, though the project has yet to begin. Decision from West Darfur, Khartoum, or Both? -------------- ¶6. (C) It remains unclear whether the shut down was ordered by authorities in West Darfur or in Khartoum. Madawi told us that the National HAC in Khartoum told SUDO the West Darfur HAC had made the "wrong decision;" Madawi also noted that SUDO is operating normally in other parts of Sudan. Though the National HAC may be attempting to distance itself from the closure, the West Darfur HAC may also be taking advantage of sweeping provisions constricting the work of NGOs contained in the recently passed Humanitarian and Voluntary Work Act of 2006 -- even though the act has yet to be officially enacted. USAID sources report that the new West Darfur Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Al-Tijani Tajeddin, is a "hard liner" with ties to the National Intelligence and Security Service; he may be acting on his own. Reuters quoted Al-Tijiani on March 15 as saying that SUDO,s offices could re-open once the group had "submitted its mandate" to the West Darfur HAC. Madawi told us that he plans on doing this on March 16, though he did not know how when the HAC would allow SUDO to re-open. Reaction: Pronk &Regrets8 Closure; CDA Trip to Darfur -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) In reaction to the closure, U.N. Special Representative Jan Pronk told reporters on March 15 that he "regretted" the closure, observing that "human rights activities in Sudan should be carried out not just by foreigners, but by Sudanese as well." CDA Hume plans to visit West Darfur this weekend, and will discuss SUDO's operations with local officials, including Al-Tijiani; Post's KHARTOUM 00000670 002 OF 002 Human Rights Officer will also meet with SUDO Chairman Madawi next week. ¶8. (C) ACTION REQUESTED -- Post requests the Department consider issuing a formal reaction to SUDO's closure in today's press briefing. HUME