SE GRATION VISITS KALMA CAMP AND MEETS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KHARTOUM 000857

DEPT FOR SE GRATION, S/USSES, AF A/S CARSON, AF/C
NSC FOR MGAVIN
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
UN ROME FOR HSPANOS
NEW YORK FOR DMERCADO

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU
SUBJECT: SE GRATION VISITS KALMA CAMP AND MEETS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY
AND ETHNIC LEADERS

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Summary
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1. (U) During July 17-18, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration
traveled to South Darfur to review the humanitarian situation in
Kalma and Kass internally-displaced person (IDP) camps and meet with
Darfuri civil society and ethnic leaders. A report of Gration's
trip to Kass will be provided via septel.


2. (U) Urging Kalma camp leaders and civil society representatives
to look toward the future, SE Gration emphasized the importance of
engagement in the peace process to find lasting solutions to the
Darfur crisis. During Gration's meetings with the South Darfur Wali
Ali Mahmoud Mohamed (governor) and Dr. Farah Mustafa Abdullah the
Deputy Wali, both emphasized that the security situation in South
Darfur has stabilized, and that the Sudanese government's
relationship with IDPs is positive, despite reports to the contrary.
However, the Special Envoy's visit to Kalma camp revealed
frustrated IDPs and empty clinics. The Government of Sudan's (GOS)
delay in allowing existing international non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) to work in Kalma, and the IDPs' refusal until
very recently to allow the latter to do so, are the causes of most
of these problems. In meetings with the humanitarian community,
tribal leaders, and civil society representatives, SE Gration
emphasized the importance of unifying disparate movements and noted
progress in Sudanese government commitment to peace and facilitating
assistance in Darfur. End summary.

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Wali and Deputy Wali: Move Along, Nothing to See Here
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3. (SBU) On July 17 and 18, Special Envoy (SE) Gration made his
first visit to South Darfur, including trips to Kalma and Kass and
meetings in Nyala, including courtesy calls with the Deputy Wali
(governor) and Wali. The Deputy Wali, who wields the real power in
South Darfur's government, claimed the situation there is stable.
He said most armed opposition groups have begun to align themselves
with the government, and that IDPs have started to return to their
villages due to improvements in security. [Note: The Wali
explained ex-SLA/AW movement members have taken refuge in Kalma
camps, which explains the rhetoric of conditions and demands they
make for peace.] The Deputy Wali stated that the government has
been able to fill gaps following the expulsions of international
NGOs through partnership with national NGOs. However, the Deputy
Wali did not repeat his late March charges that the expelled NGO
workers were spies and thieves seeking to exploit the problems of
Darfur. Instead, he praised USAID, UN agencies, and the remaining
NGOs for their support for the Darfuri people. He added the GOS has
recently signed technical agreements (TAs) with three international
NGOs to work in Kalma camp. The Wali later echoed this message.


4. (U) SE Gration underscored the importance of the peace process in
Doha, noting there will never be a lasting and durable peace in
Darfur until all factions unite behind a single platform. He noted
U.S. efforts to that end starting with SLA/AW and SLA/Unity in the
coming week in Chad. The SE stressed that the USG's primary concern
is for the next generation of Darfuris. For this reason, it is
crucial to resolve security problems that keep IDPs in camps. He
commended the South Darfur government for its recent efforts to
support NGOs and UN agencies. However, he emphasized that the
humanitarian community must have greater access to camps such as
Kalma, and that there is room for improvement in the relationship
between the GOS and the humanitarian community.


5. (SBU) The Deputy Wali replied that the solution would be to
provide health, water, and education services in returnee areas now
offered in IDP camps. SE Gration said the USG will work with the
GOS to bring such services to places of voluntary return, but that
the prerequisites for such returns include respect for IDP human
rights and adequate security for returnees. The SE also stated that
organizations such as the International Organization for Migration
(IOM) need to be a part of the voluntary return process. Deputy
Wali expressed appreciation for U.S. support for returns. He said
the GOS "continues to dialogue" with IOM based on its country

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agreement, and plans to sign a technical agreement with IOM soon.
[Note: IOM has a valid 2004 memorandum of understanding with the
GOS on verification of population movements. It does not require a
technical agreement with the GOS under Sudanese law. End note.] SE
Gration also raised the issue of disconnects between federal-level
agreements on the humanitarian assistance and state-level
implementation, especially travel notification.

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Kalma Sheikhs: What Future?
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6. (U) During his meeting with sheikhs (IDP leaders),youth leaders,
and women's representatives in Kalma, the SE asked what the
international community could do to assist in unifying the various
rebel movements and facilitating voluntary returns by IDPs to their
villages. He said he wanted to hear the sheikhs discuss the future
rather than the past. However, the sheikhs provided a long litany
of past injustices. They said their villages are now occupied by
other ethnic groups. The sheikhs complained there was no security
for IDPs. Problems in Kalma camp continue: women are raped, homes
are looted and burned, and IDPs are threatened, tortured, and
killed. The sheikhs said they have no confidence in the capacity of
the UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur's (UNAMID) to
provide security. Until the janjaweed are disarmed, they asserted,
it is impossible for IDPs to return home. For the sheikhs,
Paris-based Fur leader Abdul Wahid (head of the Sudan Liberation
Army/Wahid faction) is the only one who represents their interests.
However, one sheikh admitted that the IDPs would replace Abdul Wahid
if he failed to help them.


7. (SBU) The sheikhs said NGO expulsions had resulted in women dying
in childbirth and led to the deaths of more than 250 children due to
poor medical care [Note: This number has not been confirmed.] The
sheikhs claimed the GOS had allowed an existing international NGO to
begin work in Kalma only in anticipation of the SE's arrival. SE
Gration expressed disappointment with the sheikhs' negative outlook
on the situation in Darfur. He said IDPs should be focused on
Darfur's future and not its past. SE Gration noted that in his
meeting with Abdul Wahid in Paris, the latter had refused to engage
in the Doha negotiations. He called on the IDPs to work together
for peace and the future of their children. He added he was working
to reduce tensions between Chad and Sudan to increase regional
security.

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Kalma Services: Gaps "Filled" But Clinics Empty
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8. (SBU) The day before SE Gration arrived at Kalma, USAID partner
International Medical Corps (IMC) had received a signed TA to begin
health services at the former International Rescue Committee (IRC)
clinic, after nearly three months of having sought approval from the
GOS. IMC staff noted that the IDPs themselves had initially refused
to allow IMC to work in Kalma. The IDPs had been encouraged to take
this position in the vain hope that expelled NGO IRC workers would
be allowed to return. However, the IDPs said they were now looking
forward to IMC's filling the gap left by IRC's expulsion. They
spoke of the need for basic medical care, mental health, rape
treatment, health education, and other services. IDP midwives and
other former IRC workers said they maintained the clinic as long as
possible, using their own severance payments to buy supplies. They
added the IRC medicines had run out. It was urgent to restore
services with the onset of the rainy season, when diseases increase.



9. (U) The SE toured the 40-bed former IRC clinic that had only one
patient, a young man nearing death from diabetes-related
complications. The SE was told the clinic lacks the medicines and
trained staff to save the young man's life.


10. (SBU) IMC staff informed SE Gration that they plan to re-start
clinic operations within a week. However, they added the
Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) had told them they could recruit
only former IRC staff members living in the camp. Hiring ex-IRC
staff located outside Kalma would require their going through HAC

KHARTOUM 00000857 003 OF 004


hiring procedures, which can take up to six months. Gration said he
would raise this issue at senior levels to ensure a speedy
resolution.

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UNAMID: Improved Security; Concerning Hostage-Taking Trends
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11. (SBU) UNAMID briefed the SE on the current security environment
in South Darfur. Briefers noted improvements during the past year,
but said there had also been recent NGO staff hostage-taking.
UNAMID reported a decline in carjacking since 2008 due in part to
the March 4 NGO expulsions resulting in fewer high value vehicles on
Darfur roads. In addition, nighttime curfews forbidding use of
UNAMID targeted vehicles and use by NGOs of unostentatious rental
vehicles had also contributed to the decline.


12. (U) UNAMID staff said there were small-scale returns including
for seasonal farming and limited permanent returns. IDPs complained
of a lack of security, and said they would return if their areas of
origin were safe again. The SE described his discussions on
corridors of security to allow IDPs to return to certain locations
secured by UNAMID and/or the GOS. He said the USG is exploring the
possibility of having NGOs provide services outside of, rather than
inside, camps and provide incentives for peace.
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Tribal Leaders and Civil Society: Impunity and Insecurity
Continues
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13. (SBU) The SE also met with Arab and non-Arab tribal leaders,
followed by a meeting with civil society representatives. Both
groups of tribal leaders were generally consistent in their
messaging, noting that they still have serious concerns with the
overall security and political situation in Darfur. Tribal leaders
also noted that "selected killings" are still taking place, with
people from various ethnic groups being detained and murdered.


14. (SBU) Arab leaders said they had been exploited by the GOS and
neglected by the international community. They added the GOS should
stop arming Arab tribes. SE Gration said all Arab factions,
including those originally armed by the GOS, should now be engaged
in the peace process.


15. (SBU) Echoing concerns raised by Arab tribal leaders, several
non-Arab representatives said the GOS had detained, and in some
cases killed, members of tribes who had tried to unify those in the
opposition. The leaders added the GOS was intent on creating
divisions rather than unity. Many in the group called for justice
in trying those who committed atrocities in Darfur.


16. (SBU) SE Gration told both groups that "Darfur must take
control of its future," but could count on the USG for support.
Consistent with his message to the sheikhs in Kalma, he told the
tribal leaders to unify and have a voice at the negotiating table.


17. (SBU) Finally, the SE met with civil society members from
various organizations in Darfur, including those from the Darfur
Forum, a lawyers' union, academia, women's groups, and Nyala-based
NGOs. In a long and rather contentious session, group members
disparaged each others' knowledge of topics ranging from peace
negotiations, training, and compensation issues. The session
underscored the need of such groups to find common ground in
arriving at joint positions. The SE said the U.S. would be willing
to support serious civil society initiatives that could be factored
into the Doha process. The groups all agreed on one point: they
said UNAMID was not adequately providing protection in Darfur. They
also expressed disappointment that women were not, in their view,
represented in the Doha negotiations.

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Humanitarian Community: Two Realities at Work
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18. (SBU) During a meeting with NGO and UN representatives, NGOs
noted that although significant progress has been made in addressing

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the gaps left by the expulsions, the quality of programming has been
compromised. Agencies noted that the intense focus on gap-filling
has left many ignoring the gaps that existed prior to the
expulsions.


19. (SBU)SE Gration agreed that gaps still exist, but stressed that
in the past 100 days there had been progress in filling them. He
also noted that the anti-NGO rhetoric had stopped and government
cooperation had improved. NGOs replied that while cooperation
might be better at the Khartoum-level, federal agreements had often
not resulted in implementation at the field-level, and the "reality
(in the field) is different than what you're hearing at the top".
Many NGOs noted ongoing problems with access. SE Gration asked NGOs
to provide specific details of impediments that he could raise
directly with the GOS on their behalf.

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Comment
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20. (U) SE Gration's message throughout his meetings with IDP
leaders, civil society members, and NGO and UN representatives
remained consistent. He stressed that he wants to be a partner with
and advocate for civil society and NGOs in helping to improve the
dire humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur. In
exchange, Gration encouraged all local Darfuris, in civil society
and in the camps, to commit to having their collective voices heard
as part of the Darfur peace process so that their interests and
concerns are ultimately reflected in any lasting peace agreement.


21. The Special Envoy approved this cable prior to his departure
from Sudan.

WHITEHEAD