UN-IDDR CONSIDERS ASSISTANCE TO CONTROVERSIAL SPLA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000987 DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE WILLIAMSON ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: UN-IDDR CONSIDERS ASSISTANCE TO CONTROVERSIAL SPLA DISARMAMENT PROGRAM REF: (A) KHARTOUM 927 (B) KHARTOUM 517 (C) KHARTOUM 506 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: UN-Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Chief Adrian Verheul said that the UN is considering offering assistance to the SPLA's civilian disarmament efforts as an incentive for them to use less force in their program. He said that the UN plans to issue a statement of concern about the SPLA's recent disarmament efforts (reftels). End summary. UN CONSIDERS ASSISTANCE TO SPLA -------------- ¶2. (SBU) UN-IDDR Chief Verheul told poloff on June 26 that UNDP-IDDR is concerned about the reports of the SPLA's alleged "rough" disarmament of civilians (ref A). Verheul said that UN-IDDR hopes to encourage the SPLA to use less force, in exchange for offering to provide safe and secure storage for the weapons. By engaging the SPLA and storing the weapon, UNMIS and the various UN agencies that compose the integrated UN DDR program would be in a position to observe civilian disarmament. Verheual also hopes that by storing the weapons, the UN could prevent outright theft by rogue SPLA elements intent on re-selling the weapons. He acknowledged the UN risks getting involved in what is an internal GOSS "law enforcement" matter but said there is little choice because the SPLA's actions could undermine the entire UN-IDDR process. ¶3. (SBU) Verheul criticized the SPLA actions as poor policy, noting that GOSS President Kiir acted on his own and did not consult his own government including GOSS Vice President Reik Machar. He said a UN statement of concern on the SPLA's use of force is in the works -- regretted the lengthy delay in the statement, noting that the large number of UN DDR-associated organizations made the clearance process time consuming. Verheul said the SRSG has requested that a statement be issued quickly, but UNDP and UN Civil Affairs want to ensure that the statement "strikes the right balance." UN DDR AGREEMENT -------------- ¶4. (U) Separately, the GOS and the UN announced they had signed a DDR agreement on June 25 at a DDR Donor Conference in Geneva, co-chaired by UNDP and the Government of Japan. Donors reiterated their full support to the Sudan DDR program, which it is estimated will cost 430 million dollars over a four-year period starting in ¶2009. If successful, the program would reintegrate 180,000 SAF and SPLA soldiers. This program would seek to double the current annual level of funding budgeted for UN-led DDR activities. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) UN-IDDR Chief Verheul, who arrived in February 2008, has attempted to re-energize the DDR program. While an effective DDR campaign is unlikely in the currently-charged political climate, with forces facing off in Abyei and held in reserve all along the North-South border, a robust DDR program must be attempted, if for no other reason than to reduce the number of weapons that can fall into civilian hands or be used by militias. The South is right to start their program with civilians, and should extend this to militias and SPLA personnel scheduled for retirement, as proposed in ref A. However, the reality is that after decades of war in the South, and the ongoing war in Darfur, the Sudan is awash in arms and the UN DDR program, however well intentioned and funded, will only scratch the surface. FERNANDEZ