AEC EXTRAORDINARY PLENARY ADDRESSES ABYEI: SPLM LEADERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 000806 DEPT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON, AF/SPG DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KSCA OTRA EAID CDC SU SUBJECT: AEC EXTRAORDINARY PLENARY ADDRESSES ABYEI: SPLM LEADERS WARN OF WAR ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) held an extraordinary plenary session May 25 to address recent violence in Abyei, a situation that all agreed is a "crisis." Members of the international community joined AEC Chairman Derek Plumbly in pressing the two parties to exercise extreme restraint, to allow unhindered UNMIS access to the entire Abyei area, and to redouble efforts to agree on implementation of the CPA's Abyei Protocol. In their presentations, the SPLM and the NCP restated their prior positions, but agreed on the need for a political solution (although there was divergence as to as to what this means). Both sides lamented the suffering endured by the local population. The SPLM repeatedly warned the region is on the verge of war if the Abyei crisis is not solved, and said the threat will remain acute until the Abyei protocol is implemented, including the ABC (Abyei Boundary Commission) report. The NCP agreed that a political settlement was urgently needed, and reiterated its support for the Abyei Protocol, but said that its objections to the ABC report are well known and remain. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Reflecting the seriousness of the situation in Abyei, all of the foreign "stakeholders" to the CPA agreement attended the May 25 session. Those addressing the session included representatives of the embassies of the U.S., UK, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, France (representing the E.U.'s Slovenian Presidency),EU, African Union, Kenya (as AEC vice chair),Ethiopia, and the UN. The SPLM in particular was represented by a high-level delegation of Pagan Amum (GonU Cabinet Affairs Minister and SPLM Secretary General) and Deng Alor (GoNU Foreign Minister and SPLM Polit-Bureau member). The NCP delegation was led by Presidential Advisor Sayed el Khatib. Foreign Stakeholders urge restraint, access for UNMIS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (U) AEC Chairman Plumbly opened the meeting with a brief review of tensions in Abyei. He stressed several times that the situation represents the most serious threat to the CPA in the agreement's history. Between fifty and one hundred thousand people have been left homeless and are now IDPs. One of the most alarming aspects of the situation is that fighting broke out within the JIUs (Joint Integrated Units). No decision has been taken to allow UNMIS unfettered access to the area. ¶4. (U) In turn, every member of the foreign stakeholders spoke up to second Plumbly's plea to the two parties. U.S. DCM Powers underscored the gravity of the situation regarding Abyei, the need for humanitarian access to the area, and the need to implement the Abyei protocol. Finally, he said, there was a need for an impartial investigation of the events leading up to the violence. These sentiments were to be shared by all the foreign delegations. SPLM and NCP agree on Abyei Protocol, disagree on ABC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (U) The NCP acknowledged the seriousness of the problem in Abyei, and said "we want to see this contained as soon as possible." Fighting is not in the interests of either of the parties. The most urgent need i for a humanitarian esponsg`to t(e ILPc. UheMQ 3ideq`nacm i remape#f`~ko`~mQ(#ujusS(%"-orE,eam t_ agiYee}!8}t)tmAm`wo,vEi,N fgspMa$`@yktok/Pi$y^s2wZhcQ.(#.UyrEw