Darfur: Briefing for AU PSC Delegation

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000840 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY SENSITIVE, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO AU UN SU SUBJECT: Darfur: Briefing for AU PSC Delegation ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On May 22, Western representatives briefed a fact-finding mission of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) on the situation in Darfur. They highlighted the importance of an effective peace-keeping force and cease-fire mechanism, a specific UN/AU strategy for the political process, and non-military logistical support for the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) signatories. Though demonstrating little in-depth knowledge of the Darfur crisis, the delegation suggested that leaders at the upcoming G-8 summit provide a commitment to the African Union Mission to Sudan (AMIS) until the deployment of the UN Heavy Support Package and the UN/AU hybrid peace-keeping operation. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Representatives of the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands, France, Sweden, the European Union, and Canada briefed a fact-finding mission of the AU PSC on May 22 on the situation in Darfur. The six-member delegation, which the PSC had tasked to report objective recommendations for ending the conflict, asked for a realistic assessment from the ground. ¶3. (SBU) Western representatives highlighted the importance of an effective peace-keeping force in Darfur, coupled with a strengthened cease-fire mechanism. The UK DCM said that deployment of the UN/AU hybrid force as soon as possible was essential. CDA Powers described the USG "redlines" for such a force, including a Chapter VII mandate and UN command and control. The French Ambassador explained that the ceasefire mechanism consisting of the Cease-fire Commission and the Joint Commission did not function and urged the AU to take action to increase their efficiency. ¶4. (SBU) As the members of the delegation demonstrated little advance knowledge of the complexities of the Darfur conflict, Western representatives briefed them on the outlines of the situation. The Dutch representative described the interplay of the conflict between regional governments, the conflict between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebel movements, and the conflict between tribes. The Swedish Charge noted that Chad, Eritrea, Libya, and Egypt would play a central role in resolving the crisis. She also urged the delegation to consider ways to pressure the Darfur rebel movements to participate "in good faith" in the peace process while recognizing that "sooner or later the war in Darfur becomes a business." She pointed to regional governments' support for many rebel movements and said that the PSC should exercise its power to stem this support. ¶5. (SBU) Poloff underscored the importance of a specific UN/AU strategy for the political process, which was seconded by the EU representative. The UK representative emphasized the need for political negotiations to involve all elements of Darfurian society and said that the Arab tribes were "particularly key." He also noted that the key lesson of DPA was the need to "get the message out quickly" on the substance of a political agreement. ¶6. (SBU) Many of the Western representatives suggested that methods for non-military logistical support for the DPA signatories would provide a peace dividend and encourage the participation of non-signatories in the political process. The Swedish Charge explained the importance of planning for alternative livelihoods for the movements, noting that an effective cease-fire mechanism would leave many of the combatants "unemployed." Poloff said that the declining support for the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/Minawi demonstrated the ramifications of delay in providing non-military logistical support to the movements and suggested that the AU begin planning for the establishment of the Logistical Coordination Commission stipulated in the DPA. ¶7. (SBU) The Nigerian chairman of the delegation responded that it was difficult to look at methods for supporting the DPA signatories given the "paucity of resources" facing the AMIS, which left many of the soldiers unpaid. He suggested that the international community use the occasion of the upcoming G-8 summit to provide a commitment of support for AMIS until the deployment of the Heavy Support Package and the hybrid operation. POWERS