SUDAN: NDA LEADER MIRGHANI TO RETURN TO KHARTOUM,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 001443 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC KPKO EG SU SUBJECT: SUDAN: NDA LEADER MIRGHANI TO RETURN TO KHARTOUM, SEEKS SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND D.C. VISIT Classified by Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Catherine Hill-Herndon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Offering a read-out of his May 7 meeting in Cairo with Sudanese President Omar Bashir, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) head and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Chief Mohamed Osman Al Mirghani told emboffs that he received Bashir's support for a plan to organize a national reconciliation conference for Sudanese political parties. The venue and timing remains undecided, but Mirghani is currently canvassing influential Sudanese groups and regional actors regarding participation and agenda. Likewise, he is seeking USG support, and would like to visit Washington for consultations before a potential July return to Khartoum to resume his permanent residence in the Sudanese capital. Mirghani also reported that Bashir may accept a Sudanese investigatory committee to address Darfur crimes, in lieu of ICC trials in the Hague, which could include outside observers. Mirghani also mentioned his efforts to assemble non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in Cairo in coming weeks. Last, Mirghani complained that his sons and their families, long-time Permanent Residents in Indiana, recently had bank accounts closed without explanation. Similarly vexing, he added, was his family members' inability to secure regularly-updated residency permits for the U.S. End summary. -------------- Read-Out of Cairo Meeting with Bashir -------------- ¶2. (C) During a May 14 meeting Mohamed Osman Al Mirghani, exiled head of Sudan's main political opposition group the National Democratic Alliance (NDA),and leader of the Alliance's largest group the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), offered emboffs a read-out of his May 7 meeting in Cairo with Sudanese President Omar Bashir. (Note: Bashir was in Cairo to brief President Mubarak on the outcome of his just-concluded agreement in Saudi Arabia with Chadian President Deby regarding border security issues. End note). He said the 90-minute meeting was frank and productive, with Bashir proposing that Mirghani return to Khartoum on a permanent basis, as had many senior members of the NDA. Mirghani told poloffs that he is considering a mid-July return to Sudan, provided he is able to secure his former residence and an armored vehicle. -------------- National Accord Initiative -------------- ¶3. (C) Mirghani said he discussed with Bashir his desire to organize a "National Accord Initiative," to include all political parties in Sudan, centered around agreement on a broad statement of principles to realize national unity. The Initiative proposes that Sudan's leaders meet to determine steps to implement all of Sudan's peace agreements, to reach a "swift and just solution" on Darfur, to revise existing laws to ensure free and fair elections, and to agree on appropriate economic and foreign policies. Mirghani said he has received "verbal commitments" of support from Bashir, SPLM leader Silva Kiir, and opposition group leaders. He is aiming to organize a national conference to launch the initiative ("not necessarily in Khartoum") within six to nine months. -------------- National Committee on War Crimes? -------------- ¶4. (C) Mirghani said he had spoken with Bashir in Medina, Saudi Arabia in early 2005 as well as during their latest encounter about forming a Sudanese committee to address the issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Darfur war crimes. Bashir, he said, agrees in principle to forming such a committee and is open to the possibility of including outside observers on the committee, including from the ICC. (Note: Unspoken, but clear from the context of his raising the subject, Mirghani believes Bashir's fear of the ICC is the primary impediment to national political reconciliation. Mirghani's advice to "let us Sudanese handle this issue" suggests that he, too, believes the ICC issue is complicating the ability of the democratic opposition to force Bashir and his henchmen from power. End note). -------------- Darfur Rebels Conference in Cairo -------------- CAIRO 00001443 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) Mirghani is also working on a plan, in close coordination with the Egyptians, to bring the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) non-signatories together "very soon" to address resolving the Darfur conflict. In a May 13 statement from his office, Mirghani said the goal of the meeting is to "listen to the demands of these movements." Following a May 12 meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, the latter voiced his support for the effort, saying the effort comes in the context of Egypt's focus on bringing Darfur rebels into a peace agreement. Mirghani told poloffs that the DPA would be the starting point for discussions, to which modifications may have to be made. -------------- -------------- Visa and Banking Problems in U.S. for Mirghani Family -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Mirghani requested assistance regarding residency permits in Evansville, IN for his three sons and their families - long time residents of the U.S. Mirghani said renewal of their residency permits had been "delayed" this year without explanation. Additionally, the bank accounts of the Mirghani family in Evansville had been summarily closed and funds returned without explanation. When his family members and their legal counsel sought explanation, the bank manager had told them it was due to a "mistake." Mirghani mentioned that several senior NDA/DUP members were currently in the U.S. meeting with members of the Sudanese exile community. They would also like to meet Sudan Desk colleagues, if possible, and plan a possible U.S. visit in the coming months for Mirghani. Mirghani provided their names (himself first) and available contact information as: ELSAYED MOHAMED ELHASSAN MOHAMED OSMAN EL MIRGHANI ELTOM EL SHEIKH MOSA HAGO SIR ELKETIM MAHGOUB IBRAHIM ASIM ATTA SALIH Sirelketim Ibrahim is at 812-4713400, room 228, Evansville, IN. RICCIARDONE