SLM DISCONTENT ON DARFUR APPOINTMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000317 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS, AND AF/SPG NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL SU US SUBJECT: SLM DISCONTENT ON DARFUR APPOINTMENTS REF: KHARTOUM 00228 Classified By: P/E Chief T. Monroe, Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Appointments without SLM Consent -------------- ¶1. (C) Though the Sudanese government has moved forward with appointments to the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA),the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/Minni Minawi has not signed off on any of the nominations prior to their announcement. In a February 27 meeting with Poloff, Minawi confidant Ali Traio explained that the Sudanese government has appointed some of the SLM's nominees but given them different posts than the SLM had proposed. He cited the example of Declaration of Commitment (DoC) signatory Ibrahim Madibbo, who was appointed to serve as the chairman of the Darfur Resettlement and Rehabilitation Commission (reftel). Traio said that the SLM had proposed that Madibbo serve as the governor of South Darfur given his status as a leader in the Rizeigat tribe. Instead, the Government placed Madibbo in a position to represent the interests of internally displaced persons (IDPs),which do not include the Rizeigat. "It's like putting a round peg in a square hole," said Traio. ¶2. (C) The Government also continues to co-opt members of the SLM and exploit divisions within the movement. Against Minawi's wishes, the Presidency appointed SLM Secretary General Mustafa Tirab, who has been feuding with Minawi in recent months over the direction of the SLM, as State Minister for Federal Rule. Though the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) allots two state ministers for Darfur, Traio said that Minawi preferred to have a slot in the Ministry of International Cooperation. Instead, Presidential Advisor Maghzoub Al Khalifa's office is now adjacent to Tirab's, and Traio believes Al Khalifa is trying to manipulate the Secretary General to undermine the cohesion of the SLM. SIPDIS (Note: The Government filled the second state minister slot by appointing Abdulrahman Musa as State Minister of Cabinet Affairs, reportedly after paying him several hundred thousand dollars. End note.) ¶3. (C) The Government's actions contravene the SLM's strategy on appointments, designed to entice DPA non-signatories to the agreement. Traio said that the SLM wanted 50-percent of the seats allocated for Darfur per the DPA. Ten to 15 percent would be given to DoC signatories, and the remaining 35 to 40 percent would be left for the DPA non-signatories. Traio contended that the National Congress Party (NCP) also planned to handicap two of the critical commissions: compensation and security arrangements. For the Compensation Commission, he said that Al Khalifa had proposed a "neutral" chairman from neither the rebel movements nor the Government. Traio said this was a ruse to bring in a NCP proxy who would not advocate for the people of Darfur. Moreover, the Government was insisting on the appointment of a DoC signatory to head the Security Arrangements Commission, which Traio said was code for a "Janjaweed chairman." -------------- USG Assistance -------------- ¶4. (C) Traio proposed two areas for USG cooperation to mitigate the NCP's actions. First, the DPA stipulates the creation of a Security Assessment Team (SAT) to advise the Security Arrangements Commission. He said that the SAT should be established immediately--before the formation of the Commission--and that the USG should press the Government to accept a U.S. general as the chairman. Second, Traio requested that the USG create an advisory team for the SLM consisting of experts on security, political affairs, economics, and communications. He noted that the NCP was moving forward with the TDRA appointments because it viewed the SLM as weak. An advisory team would enhance the capacity of the SLM to reach out to its constituents, increase its popular support, and strengthen its hand against the Government. HUME