UGANDA: POSSIBLE START TO PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KAMPALA 000818 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UG SUBJECT: UGANDA: POSSIBLE START TO PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOU AND ADF REF: KAMPALA 540 Classified By: PolOff Joe F. Biedlingmaier for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On June 20, Charge d'Affaires and PolOff met with IOM Chief of Mission Jeremy Haslam to discuss a closely held meeting with ADF hierarchy scheduled for Sunday, June 22. All 24 ADF command elements of the ADF hierarchy, as well as ADF dependents and non-combatants plan to assemble in Kisangani. The meeting may launch formal peace/amnesty negotiations between the GOU and the ADF. As a first step and sign of goodwill, IOM planned to provide transport for ADF sick dependents and non-combatants to Uganda at the close of the Sunday talks. ¶2. (C) Comment: According to Haslam, in recent weeks, the process leading up to the talks has faced considerable obstacles including a rift between Kinshasa and Kampala over Uganda's intent and ability to provide amnesty for the ADF. Additionally, rumors of MONUC military action against the ADF, and the detainment of a key intermediary by Ugandan military intelligence delayed a previous attempt to transport the non-combatants and begin the peace talks. Haslam specifically asked that no UGS intervention occur with any party prior to this Sunday's meeting in Kisangani. Haslam would like to keep the USG as "his ace" to weigh in with the GOU, MONUC, or DRC. CHRITTON