GHAZI SULEIMAN: SAF SHAKE-UP ISOLATES VP TAHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000778 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016 TAGS: PGOV MOPS MASS PINR SU SUBJECT: GHAZI SULEIMAN: SAF SHAKE-UP ISOLATES VP TAHA REF: KHARTOUM 572 Classified By: P/E Chief Eric Whitaker. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In a meeting with POLOFF on March 21, well-known human rights lawyer and SPLM advisor Ghazi Suleiman explained that the recent shake-up in the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) was a move by President Bashir to further isolate Vice President Ali Osman Taha. According to Suleiman, Taha is now completely alone in the NCP regime, especially since his former close ally, Nafie Ali Nafie, has turned on him. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: The Embassy has heard similar information from other sources (reftel). Although affiliated with the SPLM, Suleiman is known to be very well connected throughout Sudan. However, information given to Embassy officials from Ghazi Suleiman in the past has not always been completely reliable. Presidential Advisor Khalid Mansour (SPLM),a more reliable source, was present at the same meeting and nodded his head in agreement when Suleiman said that these recent moves have isolated Taha. End Comment. STEINFELD