GOR POSITION ON AMIS RE-HAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000804

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C AND ACTING A/S AF PITTMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2016
TAGS: KPKO PREL UNSC SU RW
SUBJECT: GOR POSITION ON AMIS RE-HAT

REF: A. STATE 133250

B. KIGALI 731

Classified By: Poloff GLearned, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On 16 August Ambassador reiterated USG position on
the UN re-hatting of the African Union Mission in Sudan
(AMIS) (Ref A) to Rwandan Minister of State in Charge of
Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rosemary
Museminari. Musemenari had accompanied President Kagame to
the African Union (AU) Heads of State Summit in Banjul where
President Kagame had had a lengthy discussion with President
Bashir to encourage him to accept a UN force in Darfur.
Museminari emphasized GOR shares the USG position on the AMIS
re-hatting, that President Kagame has been engaging President
Bashir and there is an on-going dialogue within the AU on the
issue. She said she would inform President Kagame of the
current US demarche.


2. (C) Comment. Museminari's comments are consistent with
previous Rwandan statements and actions on AMIS. In a July
meeting with the diplomatic corps (Ref B) Museminari and
Foreign Minister Murigande both elaborated on the GOR's
dissatisfaction with AMIS leadership and Rwandan Defense
Force (RDF) Colonel Michael Nkurunziza said the GOR would be
happy to commit troops to a UN mission if it had effective
leadership. In more candid and private conversations with
DATT, RDF officers have related detailed complaints about the
political and military leadership of AMIS including the
inability of AMIS to pay the over 1,700 RDF troops stationed
in Darfur in a timely manner. Post believes that GOR
decision makers, including Kagame, recognize that it is in
Rwanda's best interest to press Bashir to accept a UN force
and will do its best. However, on its own Rwanda does not
have significant influence in Sudan and will focus its
efforts on exerting pressure through the AU. End comment.
ARIETTI