NRF REPRESENTATIVE ON CURRENT FIGHTING IN DARFUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001151 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF, D, DRL, PRM; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS; GENEVA FOR CAMPBELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF ASEC CD SU SUBJECT: NRF REPRESENTATIVE ON CURRENT FIGHTING IN DARFUR Classified By: ECONOMIC/CONSULAR OFFICER JITU SARDAR FOR REASONS 1.4 (B ) and (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: According to their representative in N'Djamena, following what he claimed to be the National Redemption Front's victory in Um Sidir, the Sudan Armed forces are attempting to mount another offensive in the area, but have encountered opposition within their own ranks. SAF buildup is being reported near the Chad-Sudan border, possibly in an attempt to close the border to any Sudanese rebels who may flee into Chad. NRF troops are located across Northern Darfur, and are preparing for further SAF offensives. Chadian rebels have also been seen near Jebel Moon, and may be receiving logistical support from Khartoum, according to the NRF representative. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - - - SAF TRYING TO REGROUP - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (C) During a conversation with Economic/Consular officer on September 17, National Redemption Front Tadjedine Niam said that following the NRF's victory for Sudanese Armed Forces on September 12, in which he asserted that 5,000 to 7,000 GOC troops were repelled, the SAF was trying to regroup to launch another offensive to recapture the area. However, according to Niam, a dispute between GOS soldiers who refused to take part in another offensive and their field commanders resulted in a violent altercation that resulted in seven individuals dead and 21 individuals wounded. The suspected dissenters were currently in Shallah prison in El Fasher. Niam stated that while the GOS publicly said that the situation was under control, the intra-SAF fighting revealed that the GOS's offensive was not being well-received by even its own soldiers. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CRRENT MOVEMENTS, TROOP PRESENCE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (C) Niam told Economic/Conslar officer that the SAF was also planning new offensives near Tine (located on the Chad-Sudan border) in the coming days. Over 80 SAF vehicles, munitions, and troops were being positioned near the Cariari lake (located close to the Eastern Chadian town of Bahai) and close to Tine. Janjaweed militias, according to Niam, were now firmly behind the GOS's efforts to launch its offensive against Sudanese rebels who did not sign the Darfur Peace Agreements. The Sudanese objectives appeared to be to cut off any access for the Sudanese rebels to Chad, and contain them in Western Darfur. Niam also said that the NRF's forces, which were spread out over much of North Darfur and close to the Sudan-Egypt border, were prepared for any SAF offensive. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHADIAN REBELS STILL IN SUDAN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (C) Niam stated that NRF field commanders had cited a movement of Chadian rebels loyal to Mahamat Nour's United Force for Change (FUC) into the Jebel Moon area. He said that NRF field commanders had received intercepts from Sudanese officials providing information to Chadian rebel groups on the GOC's plans to launch an attack against them in Aram Kolla on September 11. Niam said that he was confident that the GOS was continuing to provide intelligence and logistical support to the Chadian rebel groups. ¶5. (U) Tripoli Minimize Considered. WALL