A/S FRAZER,S NOVEMBER 2 MEETING WITH GOSS VP MACHAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 001743 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG, AF/C NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2013 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SU UG SUBJECT: A/S FRAZER,S NOVEMBER 2 MEETING WITH GOSS VP MACHAR Classified By: CDA Alberto Fernandez for reasons 1.4(b) & (d) ¶1. (SBU) In his meeting with Assistant Secretary Frazer in Juba on November 2, GOSS Vice President Riek Machar reviewed the current impasse in the Juba Peace Process as the parties to the Final Peace Agreement between the LRA and Government of Uganda continue to wait to see if LRA Commander Joseph Kony will eventually sign the document. Machar was joined in the meeting by Western Equatoria state governor Jemma Kumbo, Internal Affairs Minister Paul Mayom, Deputy Mediator for the Juba Peace Process Samson Kwaje, and GOSS Liaison Representative Ezekiel Gatkuoth. ¶2. (SBU) Machar noted that Kony continued to distrust him, and remained resistant to signing the peace accord in the absence of concrete guarantees that he would not be turned over to the International Criminal Court. Machar observed that Kony,s resistance remained unfortunate and frustrating, particularly given efforts by the Ugandan government to move forward with select elements of the FPA,s implementation. Machar tied much of Kony,s intransigence to his unwillingness to delegate. While allowing that some within senior Ugandan government circles believe that this may soon change if &one or two senior LRA commanders8 are allowed to step forward, the situation in the Congo may further stall positive progress in the interim. While the up-tick in violence in Eastern Congo remained a particular point of concern, and he cited renewed attacks in Southern Sudan once LRA food supplies were depleted as a &real possibility,8 Machar emphasized he continues to be optimistic that a lasting peace was at hand. ¶3. (SBU) A/S Frazer dismissed Kony,s cautiousness, noting that the Ugandan government has been clear in its agreement with the LRA regarding Kony,s need for intra-territorial judicial accommodation. &Continued delay calls into question his sincerity toward and seriousness about peace,8 noted A/S Frazer. Machar countered that the &onus was on Kampala8 to better demonstrate robust support in meeting Kony,s concerns. A/S Frazer continued that the U.S. Government remains concerned that Kony is stalling in order to create space for re-supply and renewed training, citing recent forays into the Central African Republic. Machar yielded little information on the subject of possible re-supply, while acknowledging long-standing concerns about possible Khartoum or Chadian rebel involvement, and more recently, possible assistance from Congolese rebel groups. Internal Affairs Minister Paul Mayom noted that there was little reason to disbelieve Kony was getting outside assistance, &after all, something has made him confident about not signing.8 ¶4. (SBU) Governor of Western Equatoria state Jemma Kumbo launched into an impassioned defense of her state,s needs in the face of an elusive peace. Western Equatoria borders both Northern Uganda and the Central African Republic, and has been subject to countless attacks over the past year. The most recent LRA attack on Sakure proved particularly violent, resulting in direct engagement of the SPLA, the abduction of children, and the burning of homes. Kumbo emphasized that the persistence of the LRA along the Sudanese/Congolese/Ugandan border remains an obstacle to CPA implementation within her state ) with effects on returns of Southern IDPs and refugees and GOSS service delivery. &This is no longer Uganda,s problem ) the Juba Peace Process has resolved that,8 she said, referring to the Assistant Secretary,s comments on Northern Ugandan reconciliation. &This has again become a problem for our people.8 Asked by Machar if she was advocating a military solution, Kumbo, caught off-guard by the VP,s implied insinuation that she was not on &his page,8 quickly noted that she was not &advocating invasion of the Congo,8 but continued, &we should be able to demand that Kinshasa take action.8 ¶5. (C) Comment: Machar,s continued optimism contrasts with that of other observers, for example GoSS President Salva Kiir (septel). Kony appears intent on stringing out the Peace Process as long as it is to his advantage. Based on his track record we cannot be sure of Machar,s reliability in any of this. End Comment. ¶6. (U) This cable was cleared by Assistant Secretary Frazer following her departure. FERNANDEZ