Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NDJAMENA1113
2006-09-06 16:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:  

SENATOR OBAMA VISITS REFUGEE CAMPS IN EASTERN CHAD

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREF ASEC CD SU 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4318
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001113 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, D, DRL, PRM; LONDON AND PARIS FOR
AFRICAWATCHERS; GENEVA FOR CAMPBELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF ASEC CD SU
SUBJECT: SENATOR OBAMA VISITS REFUGEE CAMPS IN EASTERN CHAD


UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001113

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF, D, DRL, PRM; LONDON AND PARIS FOR
AFRICAWATCHERS; GENEVA FOR CAMPBELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF ASEC CD SU
SUBJECT: SENATOR OBAMA VISITS REFUGEE CAMPS IN EASTERN CHAD



1. (SBU) Following meetings with the African Union, UNHCR
and partner organizations, and the Sudanese refugees, the
message to Senator Obama was clear: a United Nations force
was needed to bring security to the region.


2. (U) On September 2, Senator Barack Obama, accompanied by
members of the CODEL, ten journalists from American media
outlets, CDA and E/C officer, and UNHCR representative Serge
Malle, visited the Mile refugee camp in the eastern Chadian
town of Guereda. Prior to the trip to Guereda, Senator Obama
met with the African Union Mission in Sudan force commander
in Abeche to discuss the current security climate in Eastern
Chad.

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SENATOR OBAMA WITH THE AFRICAN UNION
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3. (SBU) During a meeting with AMIS Force Commander Colonel
Dominique (?),Senator Obama asked the Force Commander to
describe the current security climate in Chad and Sudan, and
note challenges AMIS faced in both Chad and Sudan. Dominique
stated that from the African Union perspective in Chad, camp
security was improving. The African Union was working with
Chadian authorities to ensure the security of refugees. He
pointed out that refugee committees were also maintaining
order within the refugee camps. Dominique stated that
concerns arose outside the refugee camps. African Union
observers, as well as Chadian authorities, lacked the
logisitical means (such as radios and vehicles) to monitor
all activities directly outside the camps. The potential for
attacks against refugees who were roaming outside the camps
was high, and difficult to deter. Since the AU mission
maintained a Chapter VI mandate in Chad, and was only
required to report to Chadian authorities, their own capacity
to stop violent acts was severely limited.


4. (SBU) Dominique pointed out that even with improved
relations between Chad and Sudan, insecurity along the border
remained a concern. He noted that any conflict in Darfur
could result in a spillover, in the form of incursions by
Janjaweed militas, that Chadian forces would be unable to

counter. While the Chadian forces had reinforced their
positions in several areas, the lack of an adequate number of
soldiers meant that certain areas were left unprotected, and
would be vulnerable to Janjaweed attacks. Insecurity along
the Chad-Sudan border also meant that the AU's monitoring
activities would be restricted. Dominique pointed out that
the deterioration of Chad-Sudan relations and the increased
attacks along the Chad-Sudan border during February and March
limited any movement of AU monitors along the border. He
added that the AU mission in Abeche lacked the appropriate
number of vehicles and helicopters to fully survey the border
region.


5. (SBU) Prior to his departure to Abeche, Senator Obama
briefly met with major William Robert, AU Military Observer
from the AMIS in El Fasher. Major Robert reported that a
military build-up was taking place in Darfur, and that
continued violence was likely. He also noted that the
current AMIS mission lacked the capabilities and leadership
to effectively gurantee security for the civilian population
in Darfur. The Senator said that he would push for the
implementation of a UN Peacekeeping force following the
passage of UN Security Council resolution 1706.


- - - - - - - - - - - - -
VISIT TO THE REFUGEE CAMPS
- - - - - - - - - - - - -


6. (U) Senator Obama's 90 minute visit to the Mile refugee
camp included a meet-and-greet with local authorities (which
included the Governor, Prefect, and Sultan of the region),
with the Chadian gendarmes providing security to the camp,
the humanitarian workers affiliated with UNHCR and partner
organizations, and the refugees residing in the camps. He
visited a incoming-generating artisan workshop operated by
members of the refugee community, and spoke briefly to the
camp's refugee committee. During a meeting with the
committee, Senator Obama said that his visit was intended to
examine current needs of the refugees in eastern Chad, and
called upon the refugees to voice their concerns.


7. (U) The refugees told the Senator that they welcomed the
United States' efforts to support the humanitarian assistance
and bring peace to Darfur, but they were still concerned
about the likelikehood of return to their homes if violence
in the region escalates. There was a round of applause when
one refugee noted the need for a United Nations peacekeeping
force in Darfur. Following the meeting, a number of refugees
staged a peaceful demonstration condemning the Bashir regime
and calling on the United States to assist in rapidly
bringing in a peacekeeping operation. Media traveling with
the Senator interviewed a number of refugees and humanitarian
workers in the camp.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SIDEBARS DURING THE CAMP VISIT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


8. (SBU) During Senator Obama's visit, CDA was able to speak
to UNHCR security officers in Guereda to ascertain current
conditions in the area. The officers stated that the GOC had
increased the number of Chadian military around the town of
Guereda (the Governor of the region told Senator Obama that
the Chadian soldiers were positioned around Guereda to
prevent further incursions by Chadian rebels into the area).
The GOC had also appointed a new prefect to the area, who had
already discussed with UNHCR and partner organizations ways
to ensure the level of safety for humanitarian workers and
the refugee population. However, the security officers noted
that humanitarian organizations were still concerned with the
GOC's inability to arrest local perpretators affiliated with
past attacks and thefts against humanitarian organizations
operating in Guereda. They also said that an escalation of
violence in Darfur could mean increased activity by Sudanese
rebels on the Chad side of the border to recruit refugees
from the camps.


9. (U) This message was cleared by Senator Obama's staff.


10. (U) Tripoli Minimize Considered.
JAMES