RWANDAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON MCC AND DARFUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 001148

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: UNSC PREL RW
SUBJECT: RWANDAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON MCC AND DARFUR

REF: KIGALI 1143

Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D)


1. (SBU) Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Murigande
November 23 to discuss the Millenium Challenge Corporation
selection of Rwanda for its Threshold Program, and the
current situation in Darfur. Murigande welcomed the MCC
decision, particularly given the recent drop in some of the
World Bank assessments of Rwandan performance on governance
and other indicators (assessments contested by the GOR, this
and other diplomatic missions, and the World Bank office
here). He appreciated Ambassador's point that the GOR
appoint a strong and unified team to work with MCC during its
December visit. He acknowledged the Ambassador's comment
that the Threshold process would be a complex and detailed
assessment of needs and responses, and said that the GOR
would devote sufficient resources to "be up to the task."


2. (C) On Darfur, Ambassador noted the intense focus by the
USG on the situation on the ground, and asked for the GOR's
continued commitment to work for a durable solution to the
ongoing crisis. Murigande replied that the GOR welcomed the
recent AU decison in Addis Ababa to create a new hybrid force
and new force levels, with a predominately African force led
by an African general. However, he expressed continuing
concern over the capabilities, funding, equipment and rules
of engagement for the new force. For example, the AMIS
troops had not been paid since October -- would that sort of
shortcoming continue under the new force? "And we still
don't have a clear answer from the Sudanese," he said, on
their acceptance of the new force levels and combined command
and control (AU and UN).


3. (C) Murigande said he hoped the Sudanese brought a
"constructive" attitude to the AU's November 29th Peace and
Security Council meeting in Abuja, at which the Addis
agreement would be considered. Ambassador noted that Special
Sudan Envoy Natsios had recently traveled to Sudan, and
encouraged a cooperative spirit. Murigande replied that Arab
governments "all supported" Sudan, and needed to moderate
their positions as well, if the AU were to have much success
in influencing Sudan in regard to the new hybrid force.


4. (C) The Ambassador noted the Rwandan decision not to
rotate its troops in September, given its unhappiness with
the support and leadership of AMIS forces. How did Rwandan
see the prospect of future rotations? Murigande replied that
rotations would necessarily "depend upon the situation." He
did not see AMIS "surviving beyond the end of December," and
any future troop movements by Rwanda would depend upon
resolution of outstanding questions about the new force and
its command structure.


5. (C) Comment. On MCC the way seems clear to a solid
effort from Rwanda on the Threshold Program (reftel).
However, on Darfur, the GOR has continuing concerns. On
November 28 we received indications from RDF commanders that
they are ready to rotate troops in December, but we await a
clear indication from civilian leadership that it in fact
wants our help in rotating its troops and is ready to do so.
End Comment.
ARIETTI