DARFUR: DR. SALIM SALIM BRIEFS DCM ON ARUSHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 001110

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT AF FOR SPG
ADDIS ABABA FOR AU MISSION
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SU TZ
SUBJECT: DARFUR: DR. SALIM SALIM BRIEFS DCM ON ARUSHA
CONFERENCE

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission D. Purnell Delly for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
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1. (C) Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the AU Special Envoy to the
Darfur peace process, told us shortly after arriving from
Arusha that the August 4 to 6 conference had "exceeded
expectations." While Abdul Wahid stayed in Paris, nearly all
other factions had attended: the SFDA, JEM, SLA/Unity, SLA/A,
SLM (Khamis Abdallah),and NMRD. Field commanders from JEM
and SLA were also present as well as representatives from
Libya, Chad, Eritrea and Egypt. According to Dr. Salim the
single overarching objective of the Arusha meeting was
accomplished--to have the rebel groups sit in the same room
and agree on a common platform for negotiations with the
Government of Sudan (GOS). They indicated a willingness to
cease hostilities but only if all other parties to the
conflict did the same. Salim said that he and UN Envoy Jan
Elliason are optimistic that negotiations between the rebels
and the GOS could begin as early as late October, provided a
venue for the talks could be agreed on. End Summary.


2. (C) While the August 4 to 6 conference in Arusha began
nearly 12 hours behind schedule, by the time they commenced,
nearly all groups were represented with the exception of
Abdul Wahid in Paris and a few splinter factions. Eight
field commanders attended, two of whom are close to Wahid and
who attempted throughout the three day meeting to persuade
Wahid to join. Salim said all faction representatives agreed
to sit in the same room and discuss a common platform to
prepare for future negotiations, working several evenings
until after 2 a.m. By the last day Salim and Elliason were
given a copy of the common position and told that the rebel
groups were ready to negotiate with Khartoum and also to
cease hostilities until the negotiations began, provided all
parties to the conflict did the same.


3. (C) Representatives of the seven factions asked for copies
of both the Abuja Declaration of Principles (DOP) and the
Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) before the discussions began.
Dr. Salim said he was surprised yet heartened that about 70
percent of the key elements of the DPA were reflected in the
final common position reached by the end of the conference.


4. (C) Salim underlined his pleasure that the factions found
a unified position, adding: "It is a demanding list, but at
least they were in agreement." The participants were also
willing to help persuade those rebel groups still "out," such
as Abdul Wahid, to buy into the common position in advance of
negotiations. Salim confided that although setting this
common agenda was a critical hurdle, other challenges lie
ahead such as selection of a rebel representative to lead
negotiations and agreement on a site for future talks.


5. (C) In Salim's view, Kenya would most probably be
acceptable for the Sudanese government, and perhaps less so
for some of the rebels. Entebbe, Uganda has been ruled out
due to past history between Khartoum and Kampala. South
Africa has offered a venue, but the distance from Darfur
presents a problem (Note: Salim noted wryly that the rebels
rejected SA because their Thuraya's wouldn't connect to
Darfur from there.) As with this Arusha forum, the AU has to
negotiate permission from the GOS for the rebel leaders to
leave Sudan, then provides AU/UN transport both ways. Thus a
site closer to Sudan is preferable; for the AU/UN mediators
the essentials are that the site is neutral and has a
reliable communications system.


6. (C) Dr. Salim mentioned that the regional actors, Chad,
Libya, Eritrea and Egypt, consistently give lip service to a
desire to cooperate with the AU/EU effort. Yet both he and
Elliason are aware that several countries have their own
agenda and may be trying to wield influence behind the scenes.


7. (C) Salim expressed his frustration that Abdul Wahid's

statements from Paris are creating tensions and divisions
rather than supporting the commendable efforts of the rebel
leaders that Salim saw working so hard in Arusha to forge a
common negotiating position. Salim told the DCM he plans to
suggest to the French Ambassador in Dar es Salaam that France
needs to let Abdul Wahid know he cannot use Paris as a base
to destabilize or undermine the serious efforts that are now
in motion. Salim clarified he would not suggest that the
French government expel Abdul Wahid, but rather let him know
his public and private remarks are welcome only if they
support movement toward a solution of the Darfur crisis.


8. (C) Salim explained that the SPLM Secretary General had
attempted to organize consultations with the rebel leaders
immediately following the Arusha conference. Since all the
leaders and field commanders were already in one place,
Salava Kiir had invited them to meet him in Rumbek before
returning to Darfur. The purpose of this meeting would be to
strategize how to get Abdul Wahid actively involved in the
negotiating process. (Comment: Salim subsequently called us
and said a flight had been arranged to Juba for these
consultations. End comment).


9. (C) Salim admitted to the DCM that the task he took on
several years ago to bring all parties to Abuja in order to
reach agreement appears to be a road without end. "But what
keeps me going is that I have seen the suffering of the
people of Darfur first hand, the IDP's, the refugees, the
women who have been raped, and I am motivated to keep
trying." Dr. Salim said that Jan Elliason had left Arusha
directly for Khartoum for consultations with the GOS. Salim
will visit Khartoum August 13, then travel to Darfur the
following week.
RETZER