TURABI DECRIES LACK OF REAL POLITICAL FREEDOM

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002007 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE NATSIOS ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: TURABI DECRIES LACK OF REAL POLITICAL FREEDOM ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Sudanese government is afraid of political freedom and the opposition parties don't know what political freedom means, Hassan al Turabi told CDA Fernandez during a meeting December ¶12. The former leader of the National Islamic Front, former Justice Minister, and current leader of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) described his efforts to rally opposition parties behind a letter to President Bashir proposing solutions on Abyei, Darfur, and political and press freedoms prior to the 2009 elections. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Appearing in excellent health and perfectly groomed in an immaculate robe, an animated and cheerful Hasan al Turabi received CDA Fernandez at his spacious home in Khartoum December 12. CDA wished Turabi well over the upcoming Eid al Adha ("feast of the sacrifice") which launched Turabi into a lengthy discussion lamenting the loss of understanding that Muslims had of their own faith. He said most Muslims don't know that the holiday celebrates Abraham's offer of his son in sacrifice. Further, he said Muslims are overly focused on the prophet Mohammed at the expense of God, as most recently demonstrated in "foolish" arrest of a British teacher whose students had chosen to name a teddy bear Muhammad. He noted that the Prophet Muhammad was a humble man and that, of course, he was named Muhammad by his father "who was a pagan. Half the prisons in Sudan are filled with men named Muhammad." ¶3. (SBU) Turabi described his efforts to bring together opposition political parties, but said it is difficult to unify the opposition because "most people don't like Sadiq al Mahdi" (his own brother in law) referring to the leader of the Umma Party. With apparent venom, Turabi claimed that many Sunni Muslims including the Saudis still don't trust al-Mahdi because they suspect he may be some sort of Shia (since Sadiq is descended from the Mahdi). Turabi claimed that at a recent meeting of opposition parties in Khartoum, Umma party faithful wouldn't allow him to speak because they "were not comfortable with me being in their headquarters." He sees both Umma and his own PCP as fighting for and appealing to the same core audience. Although many opposition politicians speak of political freedom, he said, "they don't know what political freedom is" in terms of press freedom, the right to congregate, and rule of law. ¶4. (SBU) Turabi said he had prepared a letter for President Bashir that he shared with opposition parties, prominent figures, and with the government. The letter offered suggestions on Abyei, Darfur, and political freedoms before the elections. On Abyei, Turabi said the Abyei Boundary Commission (ABC) report had reached a "natural conclusion" based on the evidence available. However, the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) could refer the matter to arbiters for a "final and binding" settlement. On Darfur, Turabi said the people of Darfur should be offered a share of the oil wealth as part of a settlement to encourage peace. Turabi said the location of the Darfur peace talks must be changed. "I told Ban ki Moon that the location of the talks was a mistake." Regarding political freedoms, Turabi said it's impossible to have a free and fair election in Sudan with full guarantees. "It would only be possible under a transition military leadership, like the last one in 1985" said Turabi. Unfettered press freedom is required prior to the election, and a new political party law must be passed. ¶5. (SBU) Still viewing political events in Sudan as related to his own influence, Turabi viewed President Bashir's recent meeting with Sadiq al Mahdi primarily as a message to him (Turabi). However, he said Bashir is probably worried about Sadiq al Mahdi because the old people may support al Mahdi in an election, while he claimed the young people will support (Turabi's) Popular Congress Party. Turabi said the National Congress Party (NCP) is afraid of him and told CDA Fernandez that when he tried to organize a political meeting for his party faithful in Northern State last month, the government would not approve the meeting, and finally relented but only allowed him one hour, and then finally gave way completely when the PCP prepared to hold an illegal rally in the center of town. Turabi said the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has reached out to the PCP recently, and now recognize the mistake they had made in ignoring them. "We were jailed for their cause," said Turabi, but now they need our support to resolve the crisis with the NCP. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Trying to remain engaged politically from the sidelines, Turabi may overstate his influence but remains a keen observer of Sudanese politics. The NCP watches Turabi closely, and is especially sensitive about his political activities on their own home turf in Northern states. Turabi's letter to President Bashir may have some influence on the conventional wisdom of the Sudanese political class, but his ideas on Abyei and Darfur are conventional and have been expressed by others. Virtually anyone outside the NCP would agree with his views on political freedoms. FERNANDEZ