REQUEST FOR DEMARCHE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 058704 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2018 TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO SU SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR DEMARCHE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN TO PROVIDE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR UNAMID AND UNMIS REF: A. KHARTOUM 000722 B. KHARTOUM 000725 Classified By: Acting IO A/S James B. Warlilck, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) PURPOSE: This is an action request. The Department requests Embassy Khartoum to demarche the Government of Sudan (GOS) in order to pressure the GOS to provide freedom of movement for the hybrid United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). Prior to delivering the demarche, Embassy Khartoum is requested to coordinate with counterparts in the British and French embassies and in the African Union (AU) liaison office in Khartoum to determine if any of them are interested in delivering these points as a joint demarche. Embassy Khartoum is also requested to approach UNAMID and UNMIS leadership to urge them to do the utmost within their respective mandates to challenge would be spoilers and intervene militarily to protect civilians. Embassy Khartoum may draw upon the following points for the demarche to the Government of Sudan: --We urge the Government of Sudan (GOS) to ensure UNAMID full freedom of movement. In particular, we urge that the airports in El Fasher, Nyala, and El Geneina, Darfur remain open and that UNAMID materials be allowed to move from Port Sudan to Darfur immediately and without impediment. --Furthermore, UNAMID must have complete freedom of movement to investigate violations of agreements, such as the early May 2008 bombings of north Darfur. The obstruction of UNAMID's movement to the area is unacceptable. --We also urge the Government of National Unity (GNU) to allow UNMIS full freedom of movement, including to investigate incidents of fighting in the Abyei region. --We urge all parties to ensure cooperation and facilitation of the implementation of the mandates for both UNAMID and UNMIS. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Khartoum may draw upon the following points in discussions with UNAMID and UNMIS leadership: --We also urge UNAMID and UNMIS to review mission mandates and rules of engagement (ROEs) with unit commanders and urge them to aggressively and robustly implement both missions' clear mandate to protect civilians. --In particular, we urge UNMIS to review its reactions to the recent Abyei crisis, to ensure that UNMIS is doing the utmost within its mandate to protect civilians. We are concerned by reports that UNMIS forces and their commander refused to intervene despite repeated requests from NGOs and civilians. ¶3. (U) DEADLINE: We would appreciate a response from Khartoum following the demarches by 6 June 2008. Please slug responses for IO/PSC Grace Kang and AF/SPG Josh Drake. ¶4. (C) BACKGROUND: Effective peacekeeping in Sudan is a key element of our strategy for reducing tensions and achieving sustainable peace in Sudan. Although on May 13, UNAMID Force Commander Martin Luther Agwai said he and Joint Special Representative Rudolphe Adada planned to protest the GOS's constraints on airport and flight operations in Darfur as a SOFA violation (ref a),UNAMID leadership has also expressed reluctance to make such protests, fearing the GOS would declare them persona non grata (reftel 722). Given the likely lack of forceful protest by the UN, we believe the United States, preferably with the United Kingdom, France, the AU, and possibly other influential African states, must express our concern directly to the GOS. In addition, we are concerned with the slow movement of peacekeeping assets to Darfur, including from Port Sudan and from UNMIS. Our concern for full freedom of movement also extends to UNMIS. Recent fighting in Abyei, which has affected more than 100,000 and displaced about 60,000, underscores the need for both the GOS and GOSS to allow full freedom of movement for UNMIS to patrol the Abyei region and help reduce tensions. It also underscores the need for UNAMID and UNMIS command to ensure individual units and their commanders fully understand their mandates and rules of engagement and that they have both the ability and will to intervene (militarily when necessary) to protect civilians. ¶5. (U) POINT-OF-CONTACT: Grace M. Kang, IO/PSC, 202-736-7735. RICE