A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NEW SLM FIGHTER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001545 DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG NSC FOR PITTMAN AND HUDSON 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: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NEW SLM FIGHTER ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 16, a new fighter for the Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi (SLM/MM) described his daily life in the field to poloff. The contact described dire conditions for SLM/MM troops, where fighters are expected to buy their own uniforms (often from UNAMID troops,) many do not have firearms allocated to them, and the troops' two-meal diet is almost always the same. Despite the austere environment, this fighter stated that he appreciates SLM/MM's military training, the simple and routine lifestyle, and the "importance of our work, as it looks like our movement may soon have to return to the fight." END SUMMARY FROM THE CEASE FIRE COMMISSION TO THE FIELD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) On October 16, poloff met former ceasefire commission (CFC) representative for SLM/MM, Adam Ali Ware. Although a longtime SLM/MM member with good English skills and political aptitude, Ware was assigned by SLM leadership to serve on the CFC and work with AMIS and the international community. Through his work on the CFC, Ware became a regular contact for U.S. Embassy Khartoum. Approximately three months ago, Ware reported that Minnawi decided that all of SLM/MM's 87 former CFC representatives should return to the field for integration into SLM's force. Ware reported that approximately 65 of the former CFC members have accepted this call, and already returned to the field. Ware traveled to El-Fasher with his unit the week of October 19 to help provide protection to Minni Minnawi during his transit from El-Fasher to Khartoum. EQUIPPING HIMSELF - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (SBU) After receiving orders to go to the field, Ware left his wife and eighteen-month old son in El-Fasher, taking approximately $100 USD with him of his own money. Upon arrival outside of Dar Es Salaam in North Darfur at an SLM/MM base "of hundreds of fighters," Ware bought a uniform for approximately $35 USD from a fellow fighter who purchased the uniform from a UNAMID soldier from Cameroon. Ware completed his uniform with pair of brown "desert boots," a combat knife ("not a good one like you issue to your marines, but a cheap Chinese one,") and a string of leather amulets worn around his arm. Ware stated that almost all of the SLM/MM fighters purchased their own uniforms from various sources. Ware stated that he was not issued his own firearm, as "the Movement does not have enough resources to give a weapon to each soldier, but if there is fighting I will be immediately issued one." Ware stated that he regrets selling a handgun he owned years ago, especially as the majority of troops are armed in the camps, many of them bringing their personal weapons with them from home. For the visit to El-Fasher, Ware stated that he had to convince a fellow soldier staying behind to loan him his scarf, "as that is a key part of SLM's uniform." Although he does not have a thuraya satellite phone, Ware is able to pick up cellular reception outside of Dar Es Salaam, "something I use very sparingly now due to financial constraints." DAILY ROUTINE - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) Ware stated that each day begins with morning exercise. There is also a daily "morning forum" where the fighters discuss military, historical, and political issues ("ranging from the DPA to the problems of Sudan as whole.") The fighters then have time for reading the Qur'an and performing religious duties. At approximately 10 or 11 o'clock, the SLM/MM fighters eat their first meal of the day consisting of a porridge made of sorghum or a dried okra soup. The soldiers have a rotating schedule for cooking the meals. Following the morning meal, the fighters have time for cleaning, relaxing, and resting during the hot midday. In the late afternoon, the fighters return to military training, communication with SLM leadership, and necessary logistical and operational duties. At sundown, SLM fighters pray, prepare for the night, and begin cooking the evening meal typically eaten between 20:00 and 21:00. The evening meal is similar to breakfast, though intermittently meat is consumed. The SLM/MM fighters in this base then set up their sleeping areas of "just blankets in the sand." On the rare occasion when there is rain at night, SLM fighters set up plastic tarps for basic shelter. "In my three months there, I haven't had to use the plastic sheeting once and so I've been sleeping underneath the stars every night," recalled Ware. A SIMPLE LIFE WITHOUT MONEY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (SBU) Ware stated that since moving to the field he has not received any salary or money from SLM. "The only thing I take from SLM is food and this is fine with me, as I don't have any need money here," stated Ware. He said that some fighters who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol ("as soldiers will always drink") are more affected by this lack of income. When asked about his young child and wife KHARTOUM 00001545 002 OF 002 in El-Fasher, Ware stated that their needs are limited, that he left them some money upon his departure, and that they receive support from other relatives. Ware added that the separation from his family has not been as difficult as he expected and laughed when recalling that his young son did not recognize him in his uniform and battle scarf. Ware stated that he has enjoyed his time in the field, especially the camaraderie of fellow soldiers, the steady daily routine, and the time to read many books and documents (e.g. the Darfur Peace agreement, linguistic textbooks, and books on U.S. politics provided by previous U.S. field officers.) WEAPONS TRAINING - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (SBU) Since arriving in the field, Ware stated that he has received training in the following weapons: an SPG-9 (Russian 73 millimeter caliber recoilless gun,) a RPG-7 (shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket propelled grenade weapon) and various mortars. "As I am a Darfuri, and everyone from Darfur knows how to use an AK-47, I did not need specific training for that," noted Ware. Ware stated that he enjoyed the weapons training and that he feels confident that, if necessary, he will be able to employ his new skills. RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. (SBU) Ware stated that he has had limited interaction with the civilian population in Dar Es Salaam "as we are located in the valley outside of town." Ware recalled that the area, a stronghold for SLM/MM, has been neglected by the central government because of SLM/MM's influence. "There is no electricity, no running water, and no hospital in the area because the government considers this to be our area and responsibility," said Ware. ASSESSMENT OF RECENT AGREEMENTS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶8. (SBU) Ware was not optimistic about the September 19 El Fasher agreement between VP Taha and Minnawi, nor the October 14 Security agreement signed between the NCP and SLM/MM. With respect to the latter, Ware stated that "I wish that the former CFC representatives would have been consulted, as there are elements [in this security agreement] that should have been clearer and other pieces that should have been added." For example, Ware stated that key terms such as "janjaweed" should have been redefined, as the DPA's reference to janjaweed on horseback and camel, "is restricted to its definition in the DPA and this is largely irrelevant as most of the janjaweed have been formalized into government security structures such as the Central Reserve Police and Border Intelligence Forces." Ware added that the security agreement should also allow for amendment when both parties agree. Ware added that he had not had the opportunity to meet Minnawi during his brief stay in El-Fasher to discuss these and other issues, and asked poloff about Minnawi's immediate plans. "SLM STRONG AND READY TO FIGHT" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶9. (SBU) Ware rejected the perception that SLM/MM forces have significantly weakened since the signing of the DPA in 2006. Ware did acknowledge that SLM/MM's former Chief of Staff Arko Suliman has broken away from the movement and attempted to recruit many fighters (including Ware's former CFC colleagues,) "but it is not true that Minnawi has lost that many fighters." Ware stated that Minnawi's improved relationship with non-signatories rebels will become increasingly important in the coming months. He added that SLM/MM's field commanders are "ready to fight" and that many soldiers "would prefer to fight than to continue to wait for the DPA to be implemented." COMMENT - - - - ¶10. (SBU) Despite Ware's denial, Minnawi's order to convert former CFC representatives into soldiers signals SLM/MM's need for fighters. This move also indicates, as Minnawi himself has stated, that military options are still on the table as SLM waits for something tangible to come from the latest effort to salvage the DPA. Ware's inquiry into Minnawi's plans is concerning, and is indicative of Minnawi's failure to keep the lower ranks of his movement informed of his plans. The dire conditions described by Ware are also a concern and help explain (but certainly do not justify) why many of Minnawi's men have resorted to looting and banditry to sustain their movement. FERNANDEZ