DARFUR: CAIRO-BASED SLM/A-UNION FRONT WANTS LARGER

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000151

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2018
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC MASS PINR EG SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: CAIRO-BASED SLM/A-UNION FRONT WANTS LARGER
ROLE

REF: A. 2007 CAIRO 3419

B. 2007 CAIRO 2093

Classified by Minister Counselor for Economic and Political
Affairs William R. Stewart for reasons. 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) In a January 27 meeting at their request, Youssef
Hassan Youssef Abdallah and Ahmed Hassan Mohamed of the Sudan
Liberation Movement/Army-Union Front (SLM/A-UF) asked us to
lobby the UN and AU envoys to include SLM/A-UF
representatives in their meetings when they next approach
Darfur rebel groups. Additionally, they asked for our help
to arrange direct meetings with the U.S. Congress in
Washington. We responded that we will pass their request and
the contact information for their commanders (paragraph 6)
back to Washington.


2. (SBU) According to Youssef, the SLM/A-UF is distinct from
other Darfur rebel groups because it claims to have support
from "multiple tribes" and presents a "unique vision" for
Darfur. Youssef and Mohamed themselves are from the Fur
tribe, and were originally part of SLA/Abdulwahid Nour's
group; many of their fighters were also originally supporters
of Abdulwahid, they said. They claimed that the SLM/A-UF has
about 600 fighters in Zallengi, Garcilla, and North Nyalla.


3. (SBU) Youssef contrasted the SLM/A-UF to other groups such
as the JEM and SLA/Unity, who "have no vision for Darfur" and
who are, according to Youssef, fighting a proxy war for Chad.
He particularly railed against the Zaghawa-based JEM, saying
that "ninety percent of Khalil's fighters are from Chad."
SLA/Unity, while still fighting as a proxy for Chad, at least
is "seventy percent Sudanese" rather than Chadian, he said
(though in our last meeting Youssef accused SLA/Unity of
being a "Libyan stooge" - ref A). The SLM/A-UF itself has no
support from Chad, but also has not engaged militarily
against Chadian forces, he said.


4. (SBU) SLM/A-UF's goal, said Youssef, is to ensure that
Darfurians are fairly represented in Darfur and in any future
Sudanese government. Youssef asked for the USG and the
international community to pressure the Sudanese government
to ensure that the upcoming elections would be fair and open
to the Fur and Masalit in the IDP camps. The Fur and Masalit
must have a voice "even if there is no peace," Youssef said.


5. (C) Comment: As during our previous meeting with the
SLM/A-UF (reftels),while we cannot judge the SLM/A-UF's
influence in Darfur or its leaders' commitments to democratic
ideals, their contacts with us seem aimed primarily at
building support for their faction.


6. (C) Youssef and gave the names and contact information for
SLM/A-UF commanders in the field as: Abdalla Adam, in Cono
Mountain, 24991541501; and Ismail Ogor, in Dege Village,

249121172933.
JONES