JOINT DEFENSE BOARD HAS NOT YET ORDERED JIUS TO INTEGRATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001190 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 MCAP AU UNSC SU SUBJECT: JOINT DEFENSE BOARD HAS NOT YET ORDERED JIUS TO INTEGRATE REF: A) KHARTOUM 250 B) KHARTOUM 1005 C) KHARTOUM 1174 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On October 14, members of the Three Areas Working Group of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) met the commanders of the Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) in Kurmuk, Blue Nile State. In separate meetings, the commanders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) components of the JIU expressed a willingness to work together, and noted that they sometimes conduct joint operations, but admitted that they have not integrated, having received no order from the Joint Defense Board (JDB) to do so. While the status of the Kurmuk JIU is better than that of the JIU in Malakal, where the SAF and SPLA components fought each other in February (Ref A),integration of the JIUs is called for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and should be pursued in the U.S.-led Trilateral process, and by the AEC. End Summary. -------------- KURMUK JIU NOT INTEGRATED -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On October 14, members of the Three Areas Working Group of the AEC met the commanders of the JIU in Kurmuk, Blue Nile State. The SPLA and SAF components of the Kurmuk JIU maintain separate camps and the commanders met the members of the AEC separately in their respective camps. Unlike Malakal, where the JIU components fought each other in February (Ref A),and continue to maintain camps on opposite sides of the town, the Kurmuk JIU camps are only a few hundred meters apart and within sight of each other. Despite their proximity, the JIU commanders admitted that they conduct no joint training and are not integrated in any manner. Even logistical support provided by the UN Mission in Sudan to the JIU is currently divided by the commanders between the two components. (Note: Pursuant to the CPA the JIUs were to be fully integrated by May, 2009. End Note.) -------------- KURMUK JIU DOES CONDUCT JOINT OPERATIONS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The commanders did, however, state that they conduct joint operations when called upon to do so. The SAF commander noted, for instance, that the JIU would provide security for the meetings on Popular Consultations occurring in Kurmuk during October 15-18 (Septel). The SPLA commander stated that if there is a security threat in Kurmuk, the JIU components will join together to face it. -------------- IF ORDERED, KURMUK JIU READY TO INTEGRATE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) When asked directly whether the JIU in Kurmuk wanted to be truly integrated, the SAF commander said yes, they were ready for integration. He noted that the soldiers interact with each other, without conflict, outside their camps. He noted however, that the JIU needs to receive the order to integrate from its commanders in the JDB. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The JIUs, mandated by the CPA as a symbol of a unified Sudan, are roundly considered a failure (Ref B and C),in part because their title makes a mockery of their actual status. The primary reason cited for the JIU's lack of integration is the lack of a joint defense doctrine. However, this reasoning does not justify JIU components sleeping and eating in separate camps. Given their proximity, the Kurmuk JIU could, at a minimum, eat in a common location, and conduct simple drills together. In fact, the components could easily be joined into a unified camp, as their current camps consist of little more than huts made of grass and tree branches. It is encouraging that the Kurmuk JIU is able to conduct some joint operations and appears free of significant animosity. It is unlikely, however, that the JIU can effectively conduct operations without having trained as a unit. Moreover, it seems indisputable that the more contact the JIU soldiers have with each other, the closer they will be to actually becoming integrated. Closer contact could increase communication, reduce the chance that misunderstandings go unaddressed, and increase cohesion. ¶6. (SBU) Comment Cot'd: In light of the U.S. commitment to work with the parties to review the current status of the JIUs and mobilize support for them, and in conjunction with the Office of the Special Envoy, Post proposes working through the AEC to review the composition, training, screening and scope of operations of the JIUs. We will also encourage integration, at least in units such as the Kurmuk JIU, where JIU components appear willing to work together. End Comment. KHARTOUM 00001190 002 OF 002 WHITEHEAD