MEDIA REACTION CONTINUED: UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001203 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, SE NATSIOS, SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN KPAO UN SU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION CONTINUED: UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1769 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. On August 2, Sudanese media focused on Foreign Minister Lam Akol's press conference "welcoming" UN Security Council Resolution 1769. Meanwhile, on Al-Jazeera broadcasts and in the Sudanese morning newspapers, the Justice and Equality Movement's (JEM) spokesperson called the resolution "a victory for the people of Darfur people." Sudanese opposition political parties and re-printed international articles on the event presented a more cautious and skeptical reaction to the resolution. END SUMMARY. -------------- FOREIGN MINISTER LAM AKOL WELCOMES HYBRID -------------- ¶2. (U) Most Sudanese newspapers prominently featured the press conference of Foreign Minister Lam Akol, where he announced "our [the Government of Sudan's] acceptance of the resolution." Akol also called the resolution "practical, as it took into consideration most of our concerns." He stated his administration is "comfortable with the resolution," and added that it "is a result of long and tedious consultations involving lots of people and the Sudanese government." He stated that "This is the first time a country involved in the resolution has taken part in the consultations." With respect to the inclusion of the Chapter Seven which permits the hybrid to use military force to "restore international peace and security," Akol said this inclusion "only permits the use of force in self-defense to protect civilians in conflict zones without damaging Sudan's sovereignty." -------------- JEM - "THIS IS A VICTORY FOR DARFUR" -------------- ¶3. (U) Also on August 2, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)'s spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam told the English daily, "The Sudan Tribune" that "this resolution is a victory for the Darfur people." Adam specifically praised the inclusion of Chapter Seven. Although optimistic about the resolution, JEM's spokesman urged the international community to pressure Khartoum to fully implement the resolution. He alleged that "We know that within this regime there are those who are opposed to the peacekeeping forces and that they would obstruct its deployment. The world should know that this regime is divided and there are some who work only for a military solution." He also stated that JEM will work with the peacekeepers in order to facilitate their mission on the ground. Further, he urged the AU-UN troops to hold dialogue with the armed rebel movements for the benefit of peace and security in the region. Nonetheless, he deplored the absence of a clear mention of the disarmament of the Janjaweed militia groups indicating that they are the main tool of Khartoum to commit genocide in Darfur. He also regretted that the resolution does not include any references to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its role for bringing justice to Darfur. -------------- OPPOSITION VOICES -------------- ¶4. (U) The Sudanese daily "Ra'i al-Shaab," presented a different perspective on the resolution. This paper, published by Hassan Al-Turabi's Popular Congress Party, included remarks from Sudan's main opposition groups. Dr. Farouq Kadoda, a leader of the Sudanese Communist party, is quoted in one article as expressing his surprise at the Sudanese government's acceptance of the hybrid. He also criticized the UN saying, "it would be of more benefit for the people of Darfur if the international community spent its money on development." ¶5. (U) The usually pro-government "Ra'i al-Aam" also included the reactions of several opposition leaders. In one article, Bashir Adam Rahama of the Popular Congress Party, stated that he welcomed the resolution, as it will protect the civilians that the government failed to protect. Rahama added that the resolution is not the final solution for the problem in Darfur, and that the crisis needs "collaborative efforts from all parties." Ali Al-Sayed, a leader in the Democratic Unionist Party of Muhammad Osthman Merghani, stated that this group rejects the resolution, and added that it will lead to a confrontation between the hybrid troops in Darfur, the rebels, and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). Bakri Adeel, of Sadiq Al-Mahdi's Umma party, stated that his party is "disappointed" with the resolution, and added that "the hybrid force will stay as long as the troops in "Iraq." ¶6. (U) The new English language, Southern-focused, "The Advocate," said that Sudan's Ambassador to the United Nations stated that despite the fact that the resolution was issued and approved it will "still be subject to study and evaluation by the Government." He downplayed the inclusion of Chapter Seven, stating that this inclusion is mentioned in only one article, and that it does "not touch on any of the Sudanese government's authority and responsibility." KHARTOUM 00001203 002 OF 002 ¶7. (U) Mohamed Abdella, in an editorial from the extremist, usually pro-government Al-Intibaha Daily, which advocates northern secession from the South, was extremely critical of the government. He accused the government of "faking victories" and described the government of Sudan as "lying and deceiving its people." He went further to criticize officials who say that the hybrid is not a "force" but an "operation." He said government officials have used this word choice of "operation" to delude the Sudanese people into thinking that this is not a military force. He claims that there is a "hidden agenda" behind the deployment of the hybrid. ¶7. (8) The Sudan Tribune also reprinted articles from the international news media which included reactions from U.N. officials, "Sudan specialists," and advocacy groups such as Save Darfur, Enough, and Amnesty International. Many of these reactions urged caution, encouraged further divestment and sanctions, and predicted that the Government of Sudan would obstruct the deployment of the hybrid.