EGYPT UNHAPPY WITH ITS ROLE IN RESOLVING SUDAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 002475 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, AF/SPG E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2018 TAGS: PREL UN SU EG SUBJECT: EGYPT UNHAPPY WITH ITS ROLE IN RESOLVING SUDAN ISSUES REF: CAIRO 1877 Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs William R. Stewart for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Egyptian MFA's cabinet advisor for African Affairs, Ahmed Abu Zeid, told us the Government of Egypt (GOE) sent a letter to UN SYG Ban expressing its dissatisfaction with the work of UN Special Envoy for Darfur Yipene Bassole. Egypt is unhappy that Bassole and the Qatari Government are not coordinating with Egypt and stated that efforts in Sudan will not succeed without engaging with Sudan's neighbors. Abu Zeid informed us that President Mubarak, during his November 10 trip to Sudan, consulted with Sudanese leaders on ways to advance the political process on Darfur, engage positively with the ICC, and increase Egyptian assistance to South Sudan. Abu Zeid said that GOE still supports "one coordinated strategy" on Sudan that would come from the P-5. He said the participation of the U.S. was essential as it is the only country that is strong and persistent enough to lead this effort. End Summary. -------------- Egypt Displeased with Bassole -------------- ¶2. (C) Ahmed Abu Zeid told us on December 2 that the Government of Egypt is "not happy" with the work of UN Special Envoy for Darfur Bassole. He informed us that the GOE sent a letter on November 30 to UN SYG Ban expressing its displeasure with Bassole's performance. Abu Zeid maintained that Bassole "is not taking the lead on Darfur, does not share information with partners in the region and does not listen to advice from those that best know the situation in Sudan." He stated that Bassole has not accomplished anything "concrete." He declared that Bassole has never called for one regional or international meeting on Darfur," and said "he will not succeed without engaging Sudan's neighbors." -------------- Qatari Initiative Leaving out Minawi -------------- ¶3. (C) According to Abu Zeid, the Government of Qatar had initially come to Egypt for advice, but was now acting alone. He said that Qatari efforts to woo both the Justice and Equality Movement and the Abdel Wahid al-Nur faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) were coming at the expense of SLM/A leader Minni Minawi. Abu Zeid stated that Minawi was "irritated" because the peace process was "by-passing him." The GOE believes that the Abuja Agreement and Darfur Peace Agreement should be the basis for all future discussions, and this would mean that Minawi would be a key representative for Darfur. -------------- Mubarak's Visit to Sudan -------------- ¶4. (C) Abu Zeid told us that President Mubarak's trip to Khartoum and Juba on November 10 was more strategic than tactical. He said that Mubarak wanted to show solidarity with Sudan and boost bilateral economic relations. Abu Zeid informed us that Mubarak consulted with GOS leaders on ways to advance the political process on Darfur, engage positively with the ICC, and increase Egyptian assistance to South Sudan. Abu Zeid said that as the ICC decision gets close, Khartoum is "suffering from tunnel vision." As a result, the Sudanese National Congress Party is playing no role in developing the periphery of the country, leading to "frustrations in the South," and threatening any internal progress. -------------- GOE Desires One Plan for Sudan -------------- ¶5. (C) Abu Zeid repeated that the GOE feels there is still a need for a "one coordinated strategy," emanating from the P-5, to resolve the crises in Sudan (reftel). He said that the U.S. was the only country that was strong and persistent enough to lead this effort and "mobilize the players." Abu Zeid praised the efforts and accomplishments of former Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick in orchestrating the Abuja Agreement, and said that since that point the international community has "moved backwards" on Sudan. CAIRO 00002475 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Comment: The GOE is upset, and feels that it is being left out of the various, influential efforts to resolve the situation in Sudan. Some of our contacts told us that Mubarak's visit to Sudan was orchestrated to show that Egypt is still relevant to any solution there. The GOE is also using reconstruction assistance to South Sudan to demonstrate its relevance, and show its commitment to CPA implementation and a unified Sudan. We assess that Egypt has no desire to play the lead role in resolving the problems in Sudan, but it wants to be involved in any potential solution. The GOE believes its best chance to play a strong and supportive role in resolving Sudan's problems is under the auspices of a unified, coordinated, UNSC plan for Sudan with the U.S. playing a leading role. SCOBEY