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