SUDAN/CHAD: GOS, JEM AGREE TO REACTIVATE DOHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 000147 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/C AND AF/USSES NSC FOR GAVIN AND HUDSON LONDON FOR POL -- LORD PARIS FOR POL -- D'ELIA AND KANEDA ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2019 TAGS: PREL SU QA LY MOPS CD SUBJECT: SUDAN/CHAD: GOS, JEM AGREE TO REACTIVATE DOHA TALKS FOLLOWING SE GRATION VISIT, CHADIAN PRESSURE Classified By: AMB LOUIS J. NIGRO FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY AND DENOUEMENT -------------- ¶1. (C) The Government of Sudan and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have agreed to reactivate talks in Doha on Monday evening, May 4, following five sessions between Special Envoy Gration and JEM Chairman Khalil Ibrahim, and numerous calls between Gration and GoS Presidential Advisor Ghazi and Vice President Taha. The talks, led by AU/UN Chief Negotiator Bassole and facilitated by Qatari Minister of State Al-Mahmoud, will begin with an effort to resolve outstanding issues associated with the February 17 Goodwill and Confidence-Building Agreement. The agenda will focus on two areas: 1) a timeline for negotiations of prisoner release and exchange, and 2) assurance that humanitarian operations are all full capacity. The JEM delegation will be led by Ahmed Tugood Lissan, Dr. Gebril Ibrahim and Suleiman Jamous, the GoS delegation by Presidential Adviser Nafie al-Nafie. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki and his group of AU "wise men" will join the discussion. The second round of Doha talks will consist of cease-fire discussions and negotiations on political issues in accordance with the negotiated draft framework. We anticipate that Dr. Khalil Ibrahim, Vice President Taha, a senior leader from the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Special Envoy Gration will participate in the opening session. ¶2. (C) The agreement to restart discussions in Doha followed meetings between SE Gration and Chadian President Idris Deby Itno May 2. Deby responded positively to Gration's request for the GOC to encourage the JEM to accompany the SE directly to Doha from Ndjamena. Deby charged his Acting FORMIN to convey Deby's views to the JEM leadership and assigned visiting Chadian Ambassador to the Washington Adam Bachir to accompany the group to Doha. Deby also "sent someone to talk to Khalil," to encourage him to go to return to negotiations with the GoS. End Summary. -------------- DEBY MEETING -------------- ¶3. (C) U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan met May 2 with Chad President Idris Deby Itno. They discussed regional issues, especially the impact of the Darfur crisis on Chad, Deby's own past efforts to help resolve it, resulting Chad-Sudan enmity, and the SE's efforts both to reconcile Chad and Sudan and to set Sudan and Sudanese rebels on a path toward peaceful interaction. SE Gration briefed Deby on his successful brokering of an understanding on humanitarian assistance inside Darfur; the progress of Chad-Sudan talks in Doha; and his various meetings with Khalil Ibrahim here. SE Gration explained in detail his plan to take JEM leadership directly from Ndjamena to Doha to reactivate talks there. ¶4. (C) Deby said that he appreciated the SE's interest and assistance to the Qatari-Libyan effort to bring Chad and Sudan toward peaceful and normalized relations. Deby denied that he could order JEM in the same way that Khartoum could order the Chad rebels based in Sudan, but said that a cease-fire was necessary and that he approved the SE's initiative. He then told Acting Foreign Minister Djidda Moussa Outman to contact Khalil Ibrahim, and instructed Ambassador Bachir to assist the Foreign Minister by accompanying JEM representatives and the SE to Doha. ¶5. (SBU) SE Gration cleared this message. NIGRO