FUR SHURA COUNCIL MEETING WITH CDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001365 DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG, DRL NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL PHUM KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: FUR SHURA COUNCIL MEETING WITH CDA REF: A) KHARTOUM 1334 B) KHARTOUM 1333 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On September 4, leaders of the Fur Shura Council (FSC) told CDA Fernandez that they are suspicious of any NCP-led investigation into the Kalma camp attack. CDA Fernandez expressed his condolences for those killed in the Kalma camp attack, while FSC representatives emphasized the need for unity among Darfur's many ethnic groups, political parties, and rebel movements. SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The following members of the Fur Shura Council (FSC) visited CDA Fernandez at the U.S. Embassy on September 4: - Dr. Idris Yousif, General Secretary of the FSC, Fur - Mr. Amin Mahmud, Deputy S.G., Fur - Dr. Nasreldin Abdul Bari, Fur - Mr. Gaffar Ibrahim, Dajo - Mr. Tageldin Sideiq, Birgid - Mr. Ibrahim M. Adam, Tunjur (Note: The FSC includes some representatives of some tribes that have been historically very close to the Fur such as the Tunjur, Birgid and Dajo. End Note) Many of Sudan's larger tribes have these "consultative" or Shura Councils to provide a voice for the tribe in the capital and press their views. The Fur Shura Council has generally been close to the views of SLM leader Abdul Wahid Nur, although not in lock-step with him. ¶3. (SBU) CDA Fernandez opened offering his sympathy and condolences for those killed in the August 25 attack on the Kalma internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. Most of the victims came from the Fur, Darfur's largest tribe, who have borne the brunt of regime attacks over the past five years in the region named after them. The CDA described the attack as a "crime" and "massacre" and that he unequivocally used these terms with GoS officials the week of August ¶31. The U.S. is looking for swift and public accountability for the Kalma attack. ¶4. (SBU) General Secretary of the Fur Shura Council, Idris Yousif thanked the CDA for the opportunity to visit the U.S. Embassy and said the Government of Sudan bears total responsibility for the attack. "This confirms what has been said about genocide," emphasized Yousif. He said that they believe that the Wali of South Darfur and ICC indictee and State Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun were actually in the vicinity of Kalma as the attack was taking place, which discounts the theory that Khartoum was not involved in the local operation. Yousif said that the time for empty words and vague plans has ended and real action is needed by the GoS. He said that civil society leaders need to help inform rebel movements and bring them together. Yousif stated that there have been several successful civil society meetings in Dar Es Salaam, Khartoum, and Heidelberg, and that more of this civil society work is needed, especially "another independent meeting free of government interference in Darfur." ¶5. (SBU) Deputy Secretary General Amin Mahmud stated that although the GoS has formed an investigation committee into the Kalma massacre, he has little faith that it will bring justice to South Darfur. Mahmud emphasized that the head of the investigation committee, Babiker Abd Al-Latif, was the chief lawyer who successfully prosecuted ten Fur individuals for the murder of "Al-Wifaq" Editor in Chief Muhammad Taha. Mahmud emphasized that despite being mired with irregularities and distrust, the trial ended in the death sentences of this large group of Fur. (NOTE: Latif is also the lead prosecutor for the ongoing murder case of John Granville and Abd Al-Rahman Abbas. END NOTE.) Mahmud also stated that another individual named to this committee is Adam Jamaa', the former mayor of Nyala, an individual allegedly known for his abuse and hatred of the Fur. Mahmud noted that Jamaa' is likely one of the rumored 51 potential indictees for the International Criminal Court. ¶6. (SBU) The Bergid representative, Mr. Tageldin Sideiq emphasized that the Kalma camp incident has the potential to change the dynamic in Darfur. He emphasized that there is growing agreement between rebel movement and civil society, but that the GoS continues to try to divide both groups. According to Sideig, the Fur and Bergid have good relations, and incidents such as this will only strengthen their relationship. Sideig also stated that without Ocampo's request for an ICC indictment, Sudan would never have appointed a special prosecutor devoted to Darfur. (NOTE: On August 5 The Ministry of Justice Abdel-Basit Sabdarat appointed Nimr Ibrahim Mohamed as the Darfur prosecutor with three assistants; Kamal Mahjoub Ahmed, Al-Hadi Mahjoub Makkawi and Mamoun Mekki Hamid. END NOTE.) Nasr Al-Din Abd Al-Bari alleged that NCP leaders planned the KHARTOUM 00001365 002 OF 002 camp invasion as part of a conference in Khartoum on August 20 where NCP leaders discussed breaking up IDP camps. Al-Bari also stated that the resettlement of Arab tribes from West Africa onto lands inhabited by the Dajo, Fur, and Bergid is a significant problem that must be addressed. ¶7. (SBU) Gafaar Ibrahim, a Dajo representative on the Fur council, emphasized that any solution for Darfur must come from the people. He said that tribal reconciliation will require creative solutions and an environment that encourages self-criticism and self-reflection. Fur leader Al-Bari noted that the GoS looks at the ongoing presence of IDPs as a reminder of their own crimes. ¶8. (SBU) All the members asked that the United States and other P-5 members at the UNSC not sacrifice the cause of justice in Darfur in exchange for some, probably illusory, concessions for Darfur. CDA responded that the United States is against impunity, has not decided how it will vote at the UNSC on an ICC deferral, but is looking to see real, tangible changes on the ground from the Sudanese Government, not more "political theater." He added that the U.S. has no intention of "trafficking in the misery of the people of Darfur" for short-term game. Kalma was a setback in what is already a difficult relationship. ¶9. (SBU) The CDA then inquired about the current relationship between Darfur's Arab and African tribes. According to General Secretary Yousif, there has been a "big change" in the Arabs. Following inter-Arab fighting Arab leaders have realized that the GoS has deceived, manipulated, and exploited their tribes. Yousif emphasized that Darfur's Arabs are not a monolithic group as "there are good Arabs and bad Arabs in Darfur." Yousif stated that following the widespread arming of the Arab tribes, Darfur needs a major disarmament program as "weapons are all over the place." ¶10. COMMENT: The Fur leaders repeatedly offered profuse thanks to the CDA for the opportunity to be heard following the traumatic events of Kalma. Their suspicions of Khartoum-led investigations into Kalma and Darfur are justifiable, and signal that in order for the investigation to be credible, it must be swift, transparent and decisive in order to have credibility with a broad representation of tribes and political parties. FERNANDEZ