ABYEI SECURITY UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000841 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SE GRATION, S/USSES, AF A/S, AF/C, AF/E NSC FOR MGAVIN DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2019 TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO UN AU SU SUBJECT: ABYEI SECURITY UPDATE REF: A. A) KHARTOUM 836 ¶B. B) KHARTOUM 819 ¶C. C) KHARTOUM 816 Classified By: CDA Robert E. Whitehead, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On July 14, CDA Whitehead met with SRSG Ashraf Qazi to discuss the impending decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the Abyei border issue. Qazi stated that while the National Congress Party (NCP) has reportedly asked for a delay in the announcement of the PCA decision (Ref A), it was unclear if their partner in the Government of National Unity, the South's Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) would agree to such a delay. Noting that the NCP's rationale for a delay was purportedly to obtain additional time to pacify the Misseriya Arabs, Qazi remarked that the NCP may lay blame with the PCA if a delay is not granted and violence breaks out as a result. ¶2. (C) Qazi also briefed CDA Whitehead on UNMIS security preparations in Abyei, noting that that UNMIS now plans on deploying fourteen Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the Abyei area, including ten in Abyei town and two each at UNMIS operating bases in Difra and Agok. He said he had hoped the APCs would have been in place by July 14, but due to unforeseen logistical constraints, he added their deployment would be slightly delayed. Qazi said that the APCs should be fully deployed by July 17 or July 18 at the latest. Qazi told the CDA that Abyei Chief Administrator Arop recently informed UNMIS personnel that he expects UNMIS to be entirely responsible for security. Qazi noted that this was at odds with the clear understanding that security is incumbent upon both parties, not UNMIS. ¶3. (C) Qazi also told CDA that he was concerned about the continued presence of SPLA troops in the Abyei area. The SPLA has offered a series of excuses for their presence, the latest being that transport difficulties due to the rainy season have caused the troops to pass through Abyei, he said. Qazi was worried that their presence could lead to misunderstandings--and possible violence--with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Though there have been no sightings of a SAF presence in Abyei, Qazi expressed concern that the military and police charged with protecting nearby oilfields could become involved if there is an outbreak of violence. Qazi pledged to continue to address the issue of security with both parties. WHITEHEAD