SLA/UNITY: WE WILL SUBMIT TO ICC IF INDICTED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001258 DEPT FOR AF/SPG, A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON NSC FOR BPITTMAN AND CHUDSON ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: SLA/UNITY: WE WILL SUBMIT TO ICC IF INDICTED REF: KHARTOUM 1232 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On August 18, leaders of SLA/Unity pledged their cooperation with the International Criminal Court, even if the ICC issues indictments against them or their SLA/Unity brethren. SLA/Unity leaders also separately told poloff via satphones that they support Luis Moreno Ocampo's request for a warrant against President Bashir, especially as, "the regime continues its genocidal operations in Darfur." SLA/Unity leaders also discussed their relationship with other movements, their lack of communication with UNAMID, and increased GoS military operations in North Darfur. END SUMMARY. "WE WILL SUBMIT TO THE ICC" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) On August 18, the leader of SLA/Unity, Abdalla Yahia, and his chief military commander, Abubaker Mohamed Kado, both separately told poloff that they respect the legitimacy of the ICC and will submit to its demands. (Note: On July 17, the local and international press reported that ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo is considering charging Darfur rebel commanders with crimes against humanity. The reports specifically mention Kado as one potential rebel indictee along with Khalil Ibrahim and Ali Karbino. The reports specifically mention the rebels alleged involvement attacks on UNAMID forces- Haskanita in 2007 and Shangil Tobaya in July 2008. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) "We are ready to fully cooperate with the ICC and will turn over anyone the ICC suspects of war crimes," stated Yahia. Yahia said he had heard accusations against his military general, but stated that Kado was not involved in the 2007 Haskanita attacks, nor in the July 2008 attack on UNAMID peacekeepers. Kado separately repeated Yahia's sentiments, stating that anyone in SLA/Unity, and "even I" will submit to the ICC. Kado said that although his troops were near Gusa Jamat on July 8, they were not involved in the attack on the UNAMID convoy that led to deaths of at least seven UNAMID soldiers. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER MOVEMENTS AND UNAMID - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) According to Yahia and Kado, SLM/Unity is in close communication with SLA/MM leader Minni Minnawi, but downplayed any future military coordination. Yahia reported that he considers Minnawi his friend even though the latter is still a part of the government. Both Yahia and Kado stated that as long as Minnawi is a part of the Government of National Unity, there will be limits to their friendship and level of coordination. Yahia also stated there is occasional field coordination with JEM "without any organizational or ideological ties." Kado reported limited coordination with JEM. Both Yahia and Kado said they have had very limited contact with UNAMID in recent months, and no communication with the new chief mediator, Djibril Bassole. GoS MILITARY OPERATIONS AND BASHIR'S INTIATIVE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (SBU) According to Yahia, the GoS has continued and expanded its military operations in North Darfur near Wadi Atrun (reftel). Yahia stated that he met with SLA/AW Commander Suliman Marajan on August 17 to discuss the operation and possible coordination among their movements. Yahia noted that on August 18, there was no direct fighting between GoS forces and the rebel movements, but that the government intends to use this military buildup "to continue its genocidal policies." Kado stated that the GoS now deployed three brigades to the region around Wadi Atrun Karab Atom, and Wadi Howar. He said that the GoS has conducted aerial bombing in the last week resulting in 12 civilian deaths. Per reftel, Kado stated that GoS oil interests in the region are motivating the SAF deployment to North Darfur. Both Yahia and Kado dismissed President Bashir's Darfur People's Initiative as a ploy following the ICC proceedings. "How can the government broadcast its peace initiatives while a war is going on. The GoS is not serious about peace while it drops bombs and its troops fire their guns," stated Yahia. COMMENT - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) Yahia and Kado were consistent in their support of the ICC, even if it means having a negative impact on them or their movement. This is easy to say now, as Ocampo has not yet requested an indictment for any members of SLA/Unity. Although Unity leaders acknowledged ongoing communication with Minnawi, they downplayed the extent of their coordination with SLM/MM. Yahia's emphasis on the limits of this coordination, "as long as Minnawi is part of the government," clearly demonstrates Yahia's hope for Minnawi's withdrawal from the GoS and combined SLM/Unity-MM military operations. Although not as strong as JEM or widely supported as KHARTOUM 00001258 002 OF 002 Abdul Wahid, Unity is regarded by many observers as one of the most important movements that could make or break any future peace deal. Having already communicated with JEM, SLA/AW, and SLM/MM, Djibril Bassole and his staff should immediately reach out to SLM/Unity leaders such as Kado and Yahia. BIO NOTE - - - - - ¶7. (SBU) Originally from the Nuba Mountains, Abubaker Mohamed Kado is a former army and Popular Defense Force Officer turned rebel commander. Kado has a long history of involvement in Sudan's wars, leading a unit of the Sudan Democratic Federal Alliance in Eastern Sudan and later fighting with multiple iterations of the Sudan Liberation Army in Darfur. Kado stated that he has "been in the field actively fighting since 1996 and will continue to be there until there is real change in Sudan." ASQUINO