S/E WILLIAMSON MEETS WITH NYALA WOMEN AND CIVIL SOCIETY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000842 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, SE WILLIAMSON DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM KPKO SOCI UNSC SU SUBJECT: S/E WILLIAMSON MEETS WITH NYALA WOMEN AND CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In a May 31 meeting, Nyala women and civil society leaders told U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Richard Williamson that delays in implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) were disproportionately impacting women and children. They detailed training they had undertaken in preparation for future political negotiations, and stressed the importance of their full participation in peace and reconciliation activities. The civil society representatives worried about the impact of the worsening security environment on the distribution of food and services, and one representative claimed that the Zaghawa tribe was being unfairly targeted following the JEM rebel attack on Omdurman. The group was skeptical of UNAMID's ability to protect civilians, and called for a more international composition of the peacekeeping force in order to regain the trust and confidence of the Darfuri people. The Special Envoy pledged to continue humanitarian relief efforts, and called on civil society groups, especially women, to take the lead on peace and reconciliation efforts. He vowed that, in regards to the conflict in Darfur, "the attention of the United States will not wander." End Summary. -------------- DPA Delays Negatively Impact Women -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a May 31 meeting, Special Envoy Williamson met with leaders of South Darfur women's and civil society organizations. Women leaders expressed frustration at the lack of political progress on ending the conflict in Darfur, pointing out that after many meetings, negotiations and discussions, there were few tangible results felt on the ground. Delays in implementing the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) disproportionately impacted women and children, who are the first affected by war but the least empowered to effect change, they said. The DPA alone would not be sufficient to sustain peace, the women agreed. Therefore efforts to reach out to the non-signatories and to bring them back to the negotiating table were crucial. "These are our brothers and fathers," one representative stated, "they must be part of the solution." ¶3. (SBU) One woman's rights advocate noted that, although the conditions for women in Darfur were deplorable, the real tragedy was their exclusion from peace negotiations and reconciliation efforts. "No peace can come without women," she stated flatly. Another activist noted that Nyala women leaders have received considerable training, through the support of the non-governmental organization Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS),in order to prepare for future peace negotiations. "We, as women, are ready, we just wonder what the men are doing..." another commented. -------------- -- Declining Social Conditions, UNAMID Concerns -------------- -- ¶4. (SBU) In the interim, the women reported, their organizations were focusing on capacity building and advocacy programs, especially in the areas of gender based violence and children's and internally displaced persons (IDPs) issues. They appealed for support for these initiatives, but noted that without better security, none of their activities would be effective. The head of a local civil society network pointed out that the lack of security and UNAMID protection had limited even the basic services that could be provided in Darfur. Recent attacks across Darfur had led to increased displacement, as well as needs, at a time when the World Food Program (WFP) was reducing its support. UNAMID's inability to provide adequate security and geographical coverage for humanitarian convoys risked creating a "humanitarian catastrophe," his colleague noted. ¶5. (SBU) A professor from Nyala University claimed that the worsening local situation for Zaghawa tribe members was also contributing to an overall decline in social conditions. After the JEM rebel attack on Omdurman, she claimed, the GoS and its militias had targeted Zaghawa owned businesses in an economic discrimination campaign. Business owners were afraid to open their shops due to harassment and threats, and Zaghawa workers were fired from their jobs. She claimed that even prices in the market had increased, and that Zaghawas were now forced to pay more for food and amenities than ordinary citizens. ¶6. (SBU) The civil society representatives said that UNAMID was not capable of protecting civilians. The previous African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) did not have a mandate to protect citizens, one said, and since most of the soldiers from that mission became UNAMID, they still do not see themselves as having that mandate. He noted that an increase in international, not just African, forces would help to change the Darfuri people's minds, and would increase confidence in the UNAMID mission. -------------- - U.S. Committed to Sustainable Peace in Darfur -------------- - ¶7. (SBU) Special Envoy Williamson noted that it was difficult to fully appreciate the suffering the people of Darfur had endured. He assured the group that the US was continuing to provide substantial humanitarian relief for Darfur, while recognizing that the creation of a secure, stable, and sustainable environment was crucial to resolving the crisis on the ground. The Special Envoy said that the U.S. was also disappointed that the DPA had not achieved peace, noting this resulted partially from Government of Sudan (GoS) activities aimed at promoting insecurity, partially from violence and banditry perpetrated by Arab militias armed by GoS, and partially from rebel movements seeking their own gain at the expense of the people of Darfur. ¶8. (SBU) The Special Envoy acknowledged the difficulties in fully deploying the UNAMID peacekeeping forces, citing GoS obstructionism, internal issues within the UN secretariat, and a lack of trained and equipped African troops. To help rectify this, he noted, the U.S. had pledged $100 million to train and equip African soldiers. However, the Special Envoy cautioned, resolution would require a political settlement for which the parties to the conflict seemed to have no appetite at this time. He stressed the crucial role to be played by civil society groups in these efforts, noting that sustainable peace would only be possible through their active participation and leadership. He called on the women of Darfur, who understand the suffering and are willing to take a chance on peace in order to end it, to lead reconciliation efforts, promising that "the attention of the United States will not wander." ¶9. (U) SE Williamson's delegation reviewed this message before transmission. POWERS