AMIS FORCE COMMANDER REACHES OUT TO DPA NON-SIGNATORIES IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000168

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO SOCI AU UN US SU
SUBJECT: AMIS FORCE COMMANDER REACHES OUT TO DPA NON-SIGNATORIES IN
WEST DARFUR

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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) Force Commander Luke
Aprezi, accompanied by United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
Regional Head of Office, Ceasefire Commission (CFC) participants,
S/CRS Poloffs, and other members of the international community, met
February 4 in West Darfur with roughly 120 Justice and Equality
Movement (JEM) field commanders and soldiers to provide an update on
AMIS and UN activities, hear the JEM's views, and encourage the
rebel group to participate in constructive dialogue with AMIS. JEM
commanders conveyed their continuing frustration with not having
sector reps in the CFC, insisted that the second chamber be run
according to the Ndjamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement (HCFA)
rather than the Darfur Peace agreement (DPA),and requested greater
humanitarian assistance in Jebel Moon. The military wing of JEM
remains firmly aligned with political leader Khalil Ibrahim, and is
aware of recent efforts in Chad to expand their circle of influence.
JEM troops appeared well-disciplined and at ease in their
mountainous stronghold. End summary.

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RECONCILING VARYING CEASEFIRE AGREEMENTS
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2. (SBU) AMIS Force Commander (FC) Aprezi, accompanied by the UNMIS
Head of Office, led a joint AU-UN delegation to Kalgo, West Darfur,
in the mountainous JEM stronghold of Jebel Moon, to make his first
face-to-face contact with the rebel leaders, clarify the functioning
of the CFC, and encourage the JEM to join the peace process. In his
opening remarks, Aprezi thanked the JEM for committing to the most
recent 60-day ceasefire and stressed that he continues to pursue a
policy of "inclusiveness" in his efforts to stabilize the region.
He expressed his concern that JEM representative to the CFC General
Mohamed Bashir pulled out of the body's second chamber, protesting
JEM's exclusion from the Sector sub-CFCs (septel). The Force
Commander repeatedly highlighted that in order for the peace process
to advance, no side could afford to stick dogmatically to its
preferred ceasefire arrangement, either the DPA or HCFA. Aprezi
further noted that he received the list of JEM and Non-signatory
Faction (NSF) names nominated for the sector sub-CFCs and would
deploy these individuals "in the next couple of weeks."


3. (SBU) Over the course of the four and half hour meeting, JEM
members repeatedly sought clarification on the terms of their
engagement in the second chamber of the CFC. On the one hand, the
rebel group conveyed its intense need to have access to AMIS and the
international community and, on the other hand, insisted that it
rejected the DPA and would only adhere to the terms of the HCFA.
(Note: JEM's objection to participation in the CFC second chamber
revolves around the body's chairmanship when the Force Commander is
absent; JEM insists that the second chamber must be heaeed`by the
European De0uty$Chairman- conskspenp ith HCFA!pr/cddures - wh|eJQr2e{i"(oldsthp Dj(PQedgSm AOQS Dmquvy Fp#m$co}cxe"PmUh*`daf|k$]gimw*"as@|b)QhFQ/$vf AFiQc9,Mez]!Ij19p4mxqqBmdhAarQcTx6r4zocommand er Mohammed Hassan Mohammed declared that his units were
abiding by the ceasefire, per the instructions of the JEM political
wing. (Note: Commander Mohammed's area of responsibility extends
from El Geneina in the south to Tine in the north. End Note.) He
demanded that AMIS deploy all JEM representatives to their
respective sectors "within 48 hours" and that they be paid as soon
as possible. The field commander blamed AMIS in part for the
deterioration in security and the resulting evaporation of
humanitarian assistance. AMIS, he contended, appeared to side with
the Sudanese Government, which continues to support and direct Arab
militias in the region. Like other JEM members, Mohammed posited
that Arab militia activity was intended deliberately to deter
humanitarian organizations from delivering services in Jebel Moon.
He countered, though, that the local area was secure and in
desperate need of assistance, particularly in drilling more
boreholes for water. Mohammed pledged to continue protecting those
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) willing to venture into JEM's
sector. Aprezi pointed out that not only had the non-signatories
representatives not received payments, but that AMIS soldiers
themselves have not been paid for more than four months, which is
having a demoralizing effect on the peacekeeping force.

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MORE UN, MORE WATER PLEASE
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KHARTOUM 00000168 002 OF 002




5. (SBU) UNMIS Regional Head of Office Anna-Maria Laurini echoed the
Force Commander's remarks regarding the necessity for dialogue and
affirmed that the resolution of the conflict in Darfur remains the
UN's highest priority. She urged JEM commanders to take all
measures to reduce violence so that a viable political track can
move forward, adding that the arrival next week of UN Special Envoy
for Darfur Jan Eliasson might re-energize this process.


6. (SBU) Several JEM commanders inquired about the status of AU-UN
collaboration, making it clear in asking their questions that they
had little faith in AMIS and wanted to see a robust UN force as
quickly as possible. Aprezi noted that the two organizations are
working to implement the Light Support Package and planning for the
Heavy Support Package. On the hybrid force, he noted that the AU
and UN continue to negotiate with the Sudanese Government. Aprezi
half-joked that he too wants to wear the blue beret because "the UN
will pay me more money!"


7. (SBU) Underscoring the grim living conditions in Jebel Moon, the
JEM Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator observed that there was only a
single hand pump for the roughly 10,500 people living in the area.
He expressed disappointment with the humanitarian community for not
having followed through on various promises to commence programs in
Jebel Moon, and asked that they clearly communicate their intentions
so that expectations can be managed. In response to this plea,
Laurini contacted UN staff in El Geneina and confirmed that there
was funding for water projects (UNICEF) in the area, though an
implementing partner had yet to be identified. She also
acknowledged the JEM's strong record in ensuring the safety of NGOs
operating in their sector, but pointed out that the problem was not
security in Jebel Moon itself but rather banditry and Arab militia
activity along the road from El Geneina. On this point, Laurini
committed to coordinate with the Force Commander about the
possibility of providing AMIS troop escort to NGOs along the
Geneina-Jebel Moon road. Aprezi informed the rebel group that he
would host a conference with all NGOs in El Fasher within the next
two weeks to better understand their concerns and improve working
relations with the humanitarian community.

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COMMENT
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8. (SBU) While the meeting achieved no breakthroughs, it was an
important symbolic gesture on the Force Commander's behalf, in
conjunction with the UN, to demonstrate goodwill and accessibility
to the JEM. The rebel group, for its part, made few political
references, other than noting its rejection of the DPA and
insistence on adhering to the HCFA. In side conversations, several
field commanders confirmed that the military wing remains firmly
aligned with political leader Khalil Ibrahim, and those with whom
S/CRS Poloff spoke were aware of recent efforts in Chad to expand
JEM's circle of influence.


9. (SBU) JEM field commanders were reluctant to discuss their troop
strength in the region, but expressed confidence that Jebel Moon was
firmly under their military control. The soldiers - wearing an
assortment of military uniforms - displayed a relatively high level
of discipline, as indicated by their weapons maintenance and
handling (mostly small arms, including pistols, AK-47s, G3 rifles,
and RPGs),local security posture (well-positioned and alert
sentries) and the organized military formation provided upon the
arrival of the Force Commander. No vehicles were present in the
vicinity of the meeting and field Poloffs did not observe any from
the helicopter, either when arriving or departing. Many of the JEM
commanders spoke English and were university educated; these, in
particular, were vaguely intrigued with the notion of peace, but
were more preoccupied with everyday concerns such as improving
access to water points and protecting the internally displaced
persons community from further Janjaweed attacks.

POWERS