GOSS Enters Diplomatic Compounds in Juba Sweep for Arms

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001046 NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS UNSC SU SUBJECT: GOSS Enters Diplomatic Compounds in Juba Sweep for Arms KHARTOUM 00001046 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: Police and soldiers blocked roads and searched homes for illegal weapons in a disarmament operation ordered by the Government of Southern Sudan's (GOSS) Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted at dawn, September 9 in Juba. Residents of Juba, including United Nations staff, were ordered to remain at home, and the diplomatic compounds of Egypt, the European Union and United Nations were entered and searched. The drive coincided with the arrival in Juba of National Congress Party (NCP) delegates and Special Envoy Scott Gration for tri-party talks with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). End Summary. GOSS Launches Juba Disarmament Sweep -------------- ¶2. (U) Residents of Juba were confined to their homes and soldiers posted on street corners, stopping traffic, while security forces swept Juba on the morning of September 9. The disarmament campaign, initiated in Juba, is commanded by Major General James Ajungo Mawut. Kuol Diem Kuol, Spokesperson for the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) called the sweep "a disarmament effort to take illegally held guns from the people." Kuol said the SPLA is supporting the police who are the forces leading this action. All movement of vehicles and people was restricted until approximately 11:00 a.m. ¶3. (SBU) Initial reports indicate that a significant number of weapons were seized, including rocket propelled grenade launchers. There are also reports of minor theft and violence by security forces involved in the operation. An American citizen reported to U.S. Consulate staff that during a search of his vehicle he witnessed security forces taking a large sum of money from his driver. ¶4. (SBU) The disarmament operation continued September 10, with new road blocks established on the outskirts of Juba, while roadblocks and searches continued, although to a lesser extent, in central Juba. The situation in Juba on September 10 appeared calm. Brigadier General Moses Majok Adol, Director of the Criminal Investigation Division at the South Sudan Police Service, told U.S. Consulate staff that operations in Juba would continue at least two more days, and then move to nearby villages. Diplomats and UN Searched -------------- ¶5. (U) Diplomatic vehicles and compounds were not immune to the search. Sources indicate that the Egyptian and European Union diplomatic compounds were entered and searched. According to Embassy of the Netherlands Ambassador Norbert Braakhis, whose country is responsible for the EU compound in Juba, two of the guards at the latter were injured by police during the September 9 raid. Ambassador Braakhuis said he had already complained to GoSS Minister of Regional Affairs Oayi Deng about the forced intrusion into the EU compound. According to Braakhis, the GoSS has a representative to the EU in Brussels. Braakhis said he intended to ask EU Brussels to call the GoSS representative in to protest the raid. U.S. Consulate staff in Juba stated that U.S. vehicles with diplomatic plates were stopped and searched on numerous occasions. Security forces also searched hotel rooms, including rooms occupied by U.S Consulate staff, but U.S. and British compounds were not searched. ¶6. (SBU) On September 9, security forces forcibly entered and searched a UN Agency resident compound, a UN Agency office compound and several international non-governmental organization compounds. UN activities were disrupted, and UN flights canceled and delayed. One UN national staff member was hospitalized after being assaulted by security forces at his residence in the Hai Munuki area of Juba, allegedly because the staff member refused to allow authorities to verify a weapon he claimed to own. ¶7. (U) In a diplomatic note, the GoSS apologized to the diplomatic community resident in Juba for its search of consulates and residences, stating that the searches were not sanctioned and that the GoSS would ensure that such actions did not reoccur. However, Charge Whitehead, in Juba with Special Envoy Gration for the Trilateral Talks, reported additional problems occurred on September 10, including entry into India's diplomatic compound. No Disruption of Trilateral Talks -------------- ¶8. (U) The Tri-lateral talks were not significantly affected by the security situation. NCP delegates to the talks in Juba attended scheduled meetings and did not report issues with security forces. Special Envoy Gration moved around the city accompanied by a truck containing SPLA soldiers. Other vehicles used by the delegation KHARTOUM 00001046 002 OF 002 were also afforded an SPLA escort and thereafter were not searched. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: Previous disarmament campaigns in Sudan have generally been viewed as heavy-handed, biased, and ineffective. At least initially, the current campaign appears better-managed than other attempts at civilian disarmament. However, entry into diplomatic compounds in Juba raises concerns about the GoSS's respect for diplomatic immunity and its ability to control the actions of police and security forces. WHITEHEAD