SPLA CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS GOSS OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE

S E C R E T KHARTOUM 000713 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR L, S/CT, IO, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MOPS PINS PGOV PINR SU UN SUBJECT: SPLA CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS GOSS OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE KONY IS AND ARE NEGOTIATING Classified By: P/E Chief Eric Whitaker for reasons: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Summary: During a meeting between Consul General (CG) Juba and SPLA Chief of Staff Oyai Deng on March 18, Deng said that the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) is in direct contact with Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) chief Joseph Kony. He said that GoSS Vice President Riek Machar is negotiating with Kony, and that Kony is currently in a camp "a few miles" off the road between Maridi and Lafon. End Summary. ¶2. (S) When CG asked if rumors of SPLA operations against the LRA around Maridi and Yei were true, Deng replied that the SPLA in fact was engaged in more friendly contacts. GoSS Vice President Riek Machar had contacted Kony, who had agreed to talks. Deng deflected questions about what was on the table, noting only that "we want to find out what they want." He continued that the SPLA had in fact launched operations against LRA elements around Maridi and Yei in response to LRA attacks. Deng thought it was strange that the LRA continued to attack while engaged in friendly talks with the GoSS, and thought this might indicate a command and control issue in the LRA. He then said Kony was based a "few miles" off the road between Maridi and Lafon. Deng appeared reticent to offer more; CG did not press. ¶3. (S) COMMENT: This conversation raises several troubling questions: If Riek Machar indeed knows Joseph Kony's location and is not assisting in his capture, does this make Machar complicit in continuing LRA atrocities? If so, does this make Machar indictable by the International Criminal Court? What are the legal ramifications for the GoSS if, as it appears, it refrains from pursuing Kony, so as to pursue a peace agreement with him? End comment. STEINFELD