Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK269
2007-04-06 12:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
UNSC: HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SUDAN, CHAD AND CAR
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000269
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO, PRM AND AF; USAID FOR DCHA AND AFR; NSC FOR
PMARCHAM, MMAGAN AND TSHORTLEY; ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU;
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH; USEU FOR PLERNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SU CD CT UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC: HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SUDAN, CHAD AND CAR
USUN NEW Y 00000269 001.2 OF 003
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000269
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO, PRM AND AF; USAID FOR DCHA AND AFR; NSC FOR
PMARCHAM, MMAGAN AND TSHORTLEY; ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU;
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH; USEU FOR PLERNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SU CD CT UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC: HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SUDAN, CHAD AND CAR
USUN NEW Y 00000269 001.2 OF 003
1. (U) SUMMARY. On April 4 Under Secretary General for
Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes briefed the Security Council
on his recent mission to Sudan, Chad, and the Central African
Republic (CAR). Despite the wide agenda topic, "Situation in
Africa," Holmes' presentation focused on the three countries
visited and continuing humanitarian needs. In response to
interventions from some members, Holmes stressed the need for
enhanced peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, eastern Chad and
northeastern CAR to address the urgent protection crisis and
allow for the effective delivery of aid.
2. (U) Security Council members welcomed Holmes to his first
appearance in the Security Council since taking office in
March. None expressed disagreement with his analysis of the
situation and some made explicit calls for the immediate
deployment of the UN-African Union (AU) hybrid force to
Darfur to bolster peacekeeping efforts and provide protection
to civilians. UK, as Security Council President, expressed
the Council's gratitude and support for the work being done
by UN and other humanitarian agencies in Darfur. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Limited response in CAR
--------------
3. (U) Holmes briefly described the current crisis in
northeastern CAR, including difficulty in reaching displaced
populations that are scattered in the forest and traumatized
by recent violence. Holmes reported that the government
currently provides no services in the area and that
international response to date has been insufficient. He
called for additional resources, noting that the CAR
humanitarian appeal is only 18 per cent funded, and made a
plea for additional partners to work with the UN in
addressing humanitarian needs in CAR. (Note: Holmes
reported the following day to the Humanitarian Liaison
Working Group that the CAR appeal is actually 28 per cent
funded. End note.)
--------------
Increasing displacement in Chad
--------------
4. (U) Holmes emphasized that the protection concerns raised
during the Security Council visit to Chad in June 2006 remain
largely unaddressed. The security situation has deteriorated
significantly in the past year and displacement of both
Sudanese refugees and Chadian IDPs in the eastern region
continues to rise. Holmes expressed concern about the
growing militarization of refugee camps and IDP locations in
eastern Chad, stressing that international peacekeeping is
essential to preventing a further deterioration and providing
minimum protection to civilians. In response to a question,
Holmes noted the imminent release of a UN 90-day humanitarian
plan of action for Chad.
--------------
Darfur "increasingly fragile"
--------------
5. (U) Holmes opened his discussion on Sudan by reminding
that former-U/SYG Jan Egeland first briefed the Security
Council three years ago on the situation in Darfur. Those
affected by the conflict in 2004 are still displaced, and the
impact on civilian populations has grown worse. An
additional 250,000 people were displaced in the three states
of Darfur in the last six months, many of whom have settled
in camps that were already at full capacity.
6. (U) Holmes praised international efforts since 2004 that
helped stabilize the humanitarian situation. However, he
stressed that access to populations in need is increasingly
limited by insecurity, creating a growing number of people
out of reach to the international aid effort.
7. (U) Holmes contrasted the success in addressing
humanitarian needs to the fundamental failure to protect
USUN NEW Y 00000269 002.2 OF 003
civilian populations in Darfur from violence. Holmes noted
that all parties in the conflict are responsible for the
current protection crisis, but he emphasized that the
Government of Sudan (GOS) has the primary responsibility for
the protection of its people and that it is "accountable for
the proper investigation and prosecution of those accused of
committing crimes."
8. (U) Holmes expressed strong concern over the targeting
and abuse of aid workers in Darfur. He reported that he had
pressed the GOS to drop all charges in the Nyala incident,
but recent news of court summons suggests the legal case is
proceeding. During his visit Holmes also stressed to the GOS
that it is within the mandate of humanitarian NGOs to speak
out about violations of humanitarian law, stating that he
expects the "insidious pressure" on humanitarian agencies to
cease.
--------------
Support and skepticism on Joint Communiqu
--------------
9. (U) Searching for a positive note on Darfur, Holmes
praised the March 28 Joint Communiqu between the GOS and the
UN to alleviate bureaucratic restrictions on humanitarian
operations. He highlighted the role of the high-level
oversight committee, expected to meet monthly in Khartoum, in
tracking the implementation of the agreement.
10. Despite the unanimous welcome of the communiqu by
Security Council members, many expressed skepticism that it
will be fully implemented. Holmes reiterated his call for
strong participation in the oversight committee by Security
Council members through representatives in Khartoum, noting
the useful work done by donors on the margins of the Sudan
Consortium in March to set the groundwork for the agreement.
--------------
Southern Sudan focus on recovery
--------------
11. (U) In Juba Holmes met with Government of Southern Sudan
(GOSS) officials and reviewed the implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He called on the
Security Council to ensure that the Darfur does not distract
for the fundamental importance of the CPA and the
rehabilitation of the South.
12. (U) Holmes reported that due to lessening acute
humanitarian needs in southern Sudan, OCHA will "centralize"
its operations in Juba and reduce the number of field offices
in southern Sudan. He called on UN development actors to
"step to the plate" for longer-term recovery and development
requirements.
13. (U) Holmes praised efforts by Special Envoy Chissano to
restart negotiations between the Lord's Resistance Army and
the Government of Uganda. The UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs, in conjunction with the UN
Department of Political Affairs, will continue to support
these efforts through the Juba Initiative Project. (Note:
Holmes' predecessor, Jan Egeland, was personally involved in
this reconciliation process, but it remains to be seen if
Holmes will be as directly engaged. End note.)
--------------
Limited agreement on next steps
--------------
14. (U) Ambassador Sanders stressed USG concerns over
worsening humanitarian indicators in Darfur and increasing
levels of violence, including the targeting of civilians and
relief workers. Sanders called for the UN to finalize with
the Government of Chad modalities on a peacekeeping force in
eastern Chad. Welcoming the recent conversations between the
SYG and President Bashir affirming the GOS' commitment to the
consensus reached on November 16, 2006 in Addis Ababa,
USUN NEW Y 00000269 003.2 OF 003
Ambassador Sanders called on the GOS to honor its commitments
and facilitate the implementation of the agreed upon
framework, including the deployment of a hybrid UN-AU
peacekeeping force to Darfur. Sanders also reiterated USG
support for recovery and development in southern Sudan,
recognizing the vital role of international organizations in
facilitating the large-scale return of refugees and
internally displaced persons to and within the South.
15. (U) Security Council members expressed general agreement
on Holmes' depiction of the humanitarian situation in Darfur,
Chad and CAR, as well as recognition that the crises are
interconnected. Many members stressed the need for enhanced
peacekeeping efforts in the region. Belgium, Slovakia,
Russia, France, the US, and the UK called explicitly for a UN
force in Darfur to augment AU efforts.
16. (U) Qatar and Indonesia highlighted the recent
"positive" meeting between President Bashir and SYG Ban on
the margins of the Arab League Summit in Riyadh and stressed
that the responsibility to protect civilians lay
fundamentally with the states involved. France reiterated
that the Security Council is awaiting confirmation that the
GOS will implement the commitments made in Addis Ababa in
November 2006. (Note: The SYG briefed the Security Council
on April 5 on his meeting with President Bashir in Riyadh, to
be reported septel. End note.)
17. (U) Many members expressed support for UN and AU
mediation efforts for Darfur. In response to a question
about his opinion on the political initiative of the UN and
AU special envoys, Holmes noted that it is clear that the
search for a political solution to the crisis in Darfur must
proceed in parallel to strengthened peacekeeping and
continuing humanitarian efforts.
WOLFF
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO, PRM AND AF; USAID FOR DCHA AND AFR; NSC FOR
PMARCHAM, MMAGAN AND TSHORTLEY; ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU;
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH; USEU FOR PLERNER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SU CD CT UNSC
SUBJECT: UNSC: HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SUDAN, CHAD AND CAR
USUN NEW Y 00000269 001.2 OF 003
1. (U) SUMMARY. On April 4 Under Secretary General for
Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes briefed the Security Council
on his recent mission to Sudan, Chad, and the Central African
Republic (CAR). Despite the wide agenda topic, "Situation in
Africa," Holmes' presentation focused on the three countries
visited and continuing humanitarian needs. In response to
interventions from some members, Holmes stressed the need for
enhanced peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, eastern Chad and
northeastern CAR to address the urgent protection crisis and
allow for the effective delivery of aid.
2. (U) Security Council members welcomed Holmes to his first
appearance in the Security Council since taking office in
March. None expressed disagreement with his analysis of the
situation and some made explicit calls for the immediate
deployment of the UN-African Union (AU) hybrid force to
Darfur to bolster peacekeeping efforts and provide protection
to civilians. UK, as Security Council President, expressed
the Council's gratitude and support for the work being done
by UN and other humanitarian agencies in Darfur. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Limited response in CAR
--------------
3. (U) Holmes briefly described the current crisis in
northeastern CAR, including difficulty in reaching displaced
populations that are scattered in the forest and traumatized
by recent violence. Holmes reported that the government
currently provides no services in the area and that
international response to date has been insufficient. He
called for additional resources, noting that the CAR
humanitarian appeal is only 18 per cent funded, and made a
plea for additional partners to work with the UN in
addressing humanitarian needs in CAR. (Note: Holmes
reported the following day to the Humanitarian Liaison
Working Group that the CAR appeal is actually 28 per cent
funded. End note.)
--------------
Increasing displacement in Chad
--------------
4. (U) Holmes emphasized that the protection concerns raised
during the Security Council visit to Chad in June 2006 remain
largely unaddressed. The security situation has deteriorated
significantly in the past year and displacement of both
Sudanese refugees and Chadian IDPs in the eastern region
continues to rise. Holmes expressed concern about the
growing militarization of refugee camps and IDP locations in
eastern Chad, stressing that international peacekeeping is
essential to preventing a further deterioration and providing
minimum protection to civilians. In response to a question,
Holmes noted the imminent release of a UN 90-day humanitarian
plan of action for Chad.
--------------
Darfur "increasingly fragile"
--------------
5. (U) Holmes opened his discussion on Sudan by reminding
that former-U/SYG Jan Egeland first briefed the Security
Council three years ago on the situation in Darfur. Those
affected by the conflict in 2004 are still displaced, and the
impact on civilian populations has grown worse. An
additional 250,000 people were displaced in the three states
of Darfur in the last six months, many of whom have settled
in camps that were already at full capacity.
6. (U) Holmes praised international efforts since 2004 that
helped stabilize the humanitarian situation. However, he
stressed that access to populations in need is increasingly
limited by insecurity, creating a growing number of people
out of reach to the international aid effort.
7. (U) Holmes contrasted the success in addressing
humanitarian needs to the fundamental failure to protect
USUN NEW Y 00000269 002.2 OF 003
civilian populations in Darfur from violence. Holmes noted
that all parties in the conflict are responsible for the
current protection crisis, but he emphasized that the
Government of Sudan (GOS) has the primary responsibility for
the protection of its people and that it is "accountable for
the proper investigation and prosecution of those accused of
committing crimes."
8. (U) Holmes expressed strong concern over the targeting
and abuse of aid workers in Darfur. He reported that he had
pressed the GOS to drop all charges in the Nyala incident,
but recent news of court summons suggests the legal case is
proceeding. During his visit Holmes also stressed to the GOS
that it is within the mandate of humanitarian NGOs to speak
out about violations of humanitarian law, stating that he
expects the "insidious pressure" on humanitarian agencies to
cease.
--------------
Support and skepticism on Joint Communiqu
--------------
9. (U) Searching for a positive note on Darfur, Holmes
praised the March 28 Joint Communiqu between the GOS and the
UN to alleviate bureaucratic restrictions on humanitarian
operations. He highlighted the role of the high-level
oversight committee, expected to meet monthly in Khartoum, in
tracking the implementation of the agreement.
10. Despite the unanimous welcome of the communiqu by
Security Council members, many expressed skepticism that it
will be fully implemented. Holmes reiterated his call for
strong participation in the oversight committee by Security
Council members through representatives in Khartoum, noting
the useful work done by donors on the margins of the Sudan
Consortium in March to set the groundwork for the agreement.
--------------
Southern Sudan focus on recovery
--------------
11. (U) In Juba Holmes met with Government of Southern Sudan
(GOSS) officials and reviewed the implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He called on the
Security Council to ensure that the Darfur does not distract
for the fundamental importance of the CPA and the
rehabilitation of the South.
12. (U) Holmes reported that due to lessening acute
humanitarian needs in southern Sudan, OCHA will "centralize"
its operations in Juba and reduce the number of field offices
in southern Sudan. He called on UN development actors to
"step to the plate" for longer-term recovery and development
requirements.
13. (U) Holmes praised efforts by Special Envoy Chissano to
restart negotiations between the Lord's Resistance Army and
the Government of Uganda. The UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs, in conjunction with the UN
Department of Political Affairs, will continue to support
these efforts through the Juba Initiative Project. (Note:
Holmes' predecessor, Jan Egeland, was personally involved in
this reconciliation process, but it remains to be seen if
Holmes will be as directly engaged. End note.)
--------------
Limited agreement on next steps
--------------
14. (U) Ambassador Sanders stressed USG concerns over
worsening humanitarian indicators in Darfur and increasing
levels of violence, including the targeting of civilians and
relief workers. Sanders called for the UN to finalize with
the Government of Chad modalities on a peacekeeping force in
eastern Chad. Welcoming the recent conversations between the
SYG and President Bashir affirming the GOS' commitment to the
consensus reached on November 16, 2006 in Addis Ababa,
USUN NEW Y 00000269 003.2 OF 003
Ambassador Sanders called on the GOS to honor its commitments
and facilitate the implementation of the agreed upon
framework, including the deployment of a hybrid UN-AU
peacekeeping force to Darfur. Sanders also reiterated USG
support for recovery and development in southern Sudan,
recognizing the vital role of international organizations in
facilitating the large-scale return of refugees and
internally displaced persons to and within the South.
15. (U) Security Council members expressed general agreement
on Holmes' depiction of the humanitarian situation in Darfur,
Chad and CAR, as well as recognition that the crises are
interconnected. Many members stressed the need for enhanced
peacekeeping efforts in the region. Belgium, Slovakia,
Russia, France, the US, and the UK called explicitly for a UN
force in Darfur to augment AU efforts.
16. (U) Qatar and Indonesia highlighted the recent
"positive" meeting between President Bashir and SYG Ban on
the margins of the Arab League Summit in Riyadh and stressed
that the responsibility to protect civilians lay
fundamentally with the states involved. France reiterated
that the Security Council is awaiting confirmation that the
GOS will implement the commitments made in Addis Ababa in
November 2006. (Note: The SYG briefed the Security Council
on April 5 on his meeting with President Bashir in Riyadh, to
be reported septel. End note.)
17. (U) Many members expressed support for UN and AU
mediation efforts for Darfur. In response to a question
about his opinion on the political initiative of the UN and
AU special envoys, Holmes noted that it is clear that the
search for a political solution to the crisis in Darfur must
proceed in parallel to strengthened peacekeeping and
continuing humanitarian efforts.
WOLFF