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.

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SAF TRYING TO REGROUP
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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.

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CRRENT MOVEMENTS, TROOP PRESENCE
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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.

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CHADIAN REBELS STILL IN SUDAN
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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