CHAD: TALKING TO SUDANESE REBELS

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000222

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CD PGOV PHUM SU
SUBJECT: CHAD: TALKING TO SUDANESE REBELS

REF: NDJAMENA 0175


1. (SBU) Summary: Sudanese rebel leaders Adam Shogar, Gamal
Addine Ibrahim, Tadjadine Bechin Niam and Sharif Harir told
Ambassador on March 9 that the proposed SLM rebel conference
should occur soon, but funding for transportation and
logistics is needed. Shogar reiterated that a unified SLM/A
position must be achieved before any rebel conference can
occur. The recent Tripoli conference was also discussed.
End Summary.


2. (SBU) Adam Shogar and Gamal Addine Ibrahim briefed the
Ambassador and EmbOffs on the latest developments in the
proposed SLM/A conference. Shogar laid out his vision for
Darfur rebel unity, with the SLM/A conference "preparing the
way" for the National Redemption Front (NRF) conference.
Shogar told Ambassador that "most" commanders intend to
participate in the SLM/A conference, including Sharif Harir,
Ahmed Abdul Shafi and Adam Bakhit. However, Shogar said that
Abdulwahid Nur and Minni Minawi and his followers would not
participate. In response to a question from the Ambassador,
Shogar noted that Ahmed Diraige would not participate in the
conference either, because he was not a SLM/A member. He
requested USG assistance in transporting the commanders to
the event site (Note: No site was proposed. End Note) and
resolving other logistical problems. In addition, he
mentioned that his rebels lack access to adequate health care.


3. (SBU) Ambassador said that he would relay Shogar,s
request to the Department, but stressed that the U.S.
endorses the AU/UN initiative to facilitate a commanders
conference and we hope the SLM/A will cooperate in this
effort. We are prepared to do what we can to see the
conference realized soon. Shogar responded that the
reputation of the AU was so poor that many rebels did not
want to work under AU auspices. NRF will deal with the UN,
but wants a new AU facilitation team (i.e., to get rid of
those involved in the Abuja negotiations). Sharif Harir said
that they had to accept the AU as "a fact of life," but they
had no confidence in it after Abuja.


4. (SBU) As some rebel leaders had just returned from the
Tripoli conference, Ambassador asked what role the Libyans
and Eritreans play in the peace process. (Note: Shogar told
us that Khalil was still in Tripoli. End Note) Shogar said
that he did not attend the Tripoli conference but that a
clear conclusion was that rebel groups needed to unify first
in order to engage Sudan in meaningful negotiations. Shogar
commented that he does not trust Libya ) despite Libya,s
offer of medical assistance to his fighters ) and believes
that Tripoli wants a peace settlement that favors the Bashir
regime.


5. (SBU) Comment: These visits reaffirm Reftel A conclusions
on the enormous obstacles ahead for the commander's
conference.


6. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
TAMLYN