SUDAN MOVES CLOSER TO RELEASE OF SULEIMAN JAMOUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001401

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS AND AF/SPG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KPAO UN SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN MOVES CLOSER TO RELEASE OF SULEIMAN JAMOUS


Classified By: CDA Alberto Fernandez, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Both the Arabic and the English press on September 5
reported widely President Omar Al bahshir's remarks following
his meeting with visiting UNSYG Ban Ki Moon on September 3,
reiterating the Sudanese Government's intention to allow the
release of former Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)
humanitarian coordinator Suleiman Jamous. Long-opposed to
Jamous' release from a UN field hospital in South Kordofan
because of his links to the Justice and Equality Movement
(JEM) and Hassan al Turabi's Popular Congress Party (PCP),
Sudan altered its stance in the face of mounting
international pressure for Jamous' release, including direct
appeals on his behalf from S/E Natsios and UN Envoy Jan
Eliasson.


2. (SBU) In July, Acting Special Representative of the
Secretary General Taye Brooke-Zerihoun visited Jamous, who

SIPDIS
signed a commitment to remain outside Sudan and to contribute
to the peace process as a condition of his release. On
September 5, UN officials told Poloff that they were working
with the Sudanese Government to complete the administrative
steps necessary for Jamous' departure, including obtaining a
passport and arranging for a flight to Kenya.


3. (C) Comment: Sudan's new commitment to allow Jamous'
release illustrates a dramatic change in the country's
18-month stance on the issue, particularly in light of
Bashir's personal--and public--pledge to Ban. The UNSYG's
visit to Sudan has been much anticipated in Khartoum, and it
seems likely that the regime will expedite Jamous' release as
a tangible goodwill gesture. End comment.
FERNANDEZ