DARFUR: EGYPT URGES RE-ENGAGEMENT, INCLUSIVITY ON

UNCLAS CAIRO 000860

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG, NEA/ELA
NSC FOR HUDSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EG SU
SUBJECT: DARFUR: EGYPT URGES RE-ENGAGEMENT, INCLUSIVITY ON
POLITICAL PROCESS

Sensitive but unclassified, not for Internet distribution.


1. (SBU) The GOE seeks to re-invigorate the idea that UN and
AU Darfur envoys Jan Elaisson and Selim Ahmed Selim engage in
"shuttle diplomacy" between the rebel groups and GOS to bring
them to a comprehensive political solution, MFA Cabinet
Advisor for African Affairs Ahmed Abu Zeid told us on April

24. The GOE prefers that the envoys discuss not just the
logistics of bringing the parties together to negotiate, but
also the substantive political issues of concern. The GOE
believes that shuttling between the parties on key political
issues is the best way to bring them to a political solution
given the fractious nature of the rebel groups, he said.


2. (SBU) As a second-best option, Abu Zeid said that the GOE
supports the envoys' reportedly current initiative to bring
the rebels and GOS together to discuss only security issues,
to achieve a cessation of hostilities and provide a basis for
further talks. However, Abu Zeid noted that Justice and
Equality Movement (JEM) leader Khalil Ibrahim, whose forces
are most active rebel "presence on the ground," has said he
will not meet with the GOS in the presence of other Darfur
rebel leaders, and that Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army
(SLM/A) leader Abdulwahid Nur is also on the fence. He
warned that without these two important rebel factions, and
particularly the JEM, any mediation efforts are
"meaningless." He also warned that the talks should include
not just the rebels and the GOS but also important
neighboring countries, given the deep involvement in the
conflict particularly on the part of Chad.
SCOBEY