CHAD/SUDAN: JEM NEGOTIATOR CALLS FOR RETHINKING OF

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
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SUBJECT: CHAD/SUDAN: JEM NEGOTIATOR CALLS FOR RETHINKING OF
DPA

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Classified By: ECONOMIC/CONSULAR OFFICER JITU SARDAR FOR REASONS 1.4 (B
) and (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: New political and military realities on the
ground in Darfur will make the implementation of the Darfur
Peace Accords impossible, and the International Community
must consider changing the structure of the current
agreement, according the Justice and Equality Movement's
chief negotiator, Ahmed Tougod, in a meeting with us July 21.
Tougod highlighted the current military alignment developing
between supporters of the National Redemption Front against
Sudanese Armed Forces and forces loyal to Mini Minnawi.
Tugoud also denied the assertion that movements opposing the
DPA were receiving support from Chadian government sources.
END SUMMARY.

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DPA CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED
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2. (C) On July 21, Justice and Equality Movement negotiator
Ahmed Tougud met with Ambassador Wall to discuss the current
situation in Darfur from the perspective of the Justice and
Equality Movement and other groups opposing the Darfur Peace
Accords. Tugoud, who was accompanied by other members of JEM
and the recenly-formed National Redemption Front, told
Ambassaor Wall that members of the Sudanese rebel movemen
in Darfur and the diaspora community consulted ith one
anther following the DPA's signing, andconcluded that the
accords did not solve the roo causes of the conflict in
Darfur. Specifically,the DPA failed to realistically
address he Darfurians' concerns for power-sharing, security,
and wealth-sharing.


3. (C) For instance, Tougud stated that the power-sharing
arrangements gave the Darfurians a representation in the
government of 12 seats in the National Assembly, which was
far less than the 90 seats they deserved if they were to be
proportionally represented in the National Assembly. The
security arrangements lacked clear deadlines for disarmament.
Finally, there were no indications of individual and
community-based compensation for victims of the conflict.
Sudanese rebel groups, as well as the people of Darfur, could
never accept such an agreement, as it did little to improve
the political and economic inequities that have always
existed in the region.

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NEW MILITARY ALIGNMENTS FORMING
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4. (C) Based on these shared concerns over the DPA,
according to Tougod, factions opposed to the implementation
of the DPA in its current state have formed the National
Redemption Front. Their ultimate goal is to convince the
international community to reconsider the DPA, and revise the
accords to reflect the needs of Darfurians. Tougod told the
Ambassador that their meeting would be one of many to present
the NRF's case for a revision of the DPA. They would also be
approaching United Nations and African Union officials to
argue for renewed dialogue on the DPA.


5. (C) Ambassador Wall told Tougod and the other members of
the meeting that the U.S. views the DPA as the best way to
bring peace to Darfur, and is working hard with partners to
implement it. He added that parties that continue to stay
out of the DPA will only continue to marginalize themselves.
Tougod responded by saying that the current accords only
marginalize the people of Darfur, which he hoped the
international community would understand in the coming weeks.



6. (C) Tougod noted that the NRF was facing military
opposition from Sudanese Liberation Movement forces loyal to
Mini Minnawi, who, Tougud stated, had formed an alliance with

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Sudanese Armed Forces and Janjaweid militia groups to "wipe
out" all opposition to the DPA. Tougod told the Ambassador
that while the Minni-GOS alliance initiated the attacks
against the NRF, the NRF resisted and had successfully pushed
Minni out of Northern Darfur. According to Tougod and his
colleagues present in the meeting, Minni's forces were only
located in specific pockets around Al-Fashir. Therefore,
with Minni's role weakened in the region, the implementation
of the DPA would become even more difficult.

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DENIAL OF RECEIVING CHADIAN SUPPORT
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7. (C) When asked by the Ambassador about support that the
Chadian government was providing to the NRF, Tougod stated
that assertions of Chadian military support for NRF
operations were completely false, and were rumors spread by
Minni to divert attention from real concerns over the DPA.
He admitted that the GOC consulted regularly with the NRF,
and Daoussa Deby, brother to President Deby, and Mahamat Ali
Abdullah, Minister of Territorial Administration, were in
frequent contact with Tougod and other members of JEM. He
also noted that the GOC provided lodging accommodations
members of JEM when in N'Djamena. But there was no Chadian
military support to the NRF cause in Darfur. Tougod denied
accusations that JEM fighters and GOC officials were actively
recruiting supporters from refugee camps in Eastern Chad.


8. (C) Conversely, he pointed out that GOS support for
Chadian rebel groups was extremely clear, as the Chadian
military opposition had free movement in Darfur, and was
receiving and equipment and logistical support from Khartoum.
Tougod asserted that military engagement between Chadian
rebel groups and Chadian military forces along the border was
creating the perception that NRF elements were receiving
support from Chadian military sources. He added that as the
GOS viewed Darfur and Chad as one operational area, support
by the SAF for attacks in Darfur and Chad would undoubtedly
continue.

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COMMENT
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9. (C) While Tougod denies Chadian military involvement,
other reports indicate otherwise. Someone needs to get the
facts.
WALL