DEMARCHES ON DARFUR AND UN HYBRID FORCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001551 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG: R.JOVIN AND J.DRAKE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017 TAGS: PREL KPKO SU ET AU SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON DARFUR AND UN HYBRID FORCE REF: A. STATE 68240 ¶B. STATE 68168 ¶C. ADDIS ABABA 232 Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER KIMBERLY WRIGHT. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points on May 22 to MFA desk officer for the United States, Third Secretary Adam Tesfaye. Tesfaye inquired about the status of discussions with other AU member states, and asked whether any additional internal disagreements on the reinforcement efforts had occurred. ¶2. (C) Tesfaye reported that Ethiopia supports proposed operational improvements to the UN Command hybrid force, as well as proposed principles and tenets on force composition, Chapter VII and appointment authority, and unity of chain of command. Ethiopia also remains cautious about any Sudanese-led efforts to dilute the agreement. Tesfaye reports that he and many African diplomatic colleagues are of the opinion that Sudanese leadership needs a way to "save face": without an outlet for Sudan's leadership to prove to their constituency that they can competently play a role in maintaining the peace, peace may be threatened. ¶3. (C) COMMENT. As one of 15 members of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC),Ethiopia has consistently endorsed AU PSC communiques calling for the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to transition to a UN peacekeeping operation. Ethiopia is also a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, with forces serving in both Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire (UNMIL and UNOCI). However, as highlighted by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tekeda, when discussing Sudanese President Bashir's candidacy for the AU Assembly Chair immediately prior to the January 2007 AU Summit (ref C), Ethiopia is wary of openly opposing Sudanese interests, for fear of pushing Sudan closer to Eritrea. Ethiopia's growing economic interests in Sudan, and dependence on Sudanese oil, also limit its ability to confront Sudan. END COMMENT. YAMAMOTO