BURKINA FASO WILL SUPPORT AU CONSENSUS ON SUDAN SPECIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L OUAGADOUGOU 000451 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/RHS - OSTERMEIER AND DRL/MLGA - SICADE C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED DECL DATE) E.O. 12958: DECL ON: 05/20/2019 TAGS: AORC PHUM PREL SU UV SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO WILL SUPPORT AU CONSENSUS ON SUDAN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR MANDATE REF: STATE 55852 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Joann M. Lockard for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Burkina Faso looks to play a "positive" role in the debate on the renewal of the Sudan Special Rapporteur at the Human Rights Council. However, the GOBF feels strongly that compromise is the best course of action and will support a joint AU position. As of today, the AU has not defined its final position, and Burkina Faso welcomes any additional information regarding the overall human rights situation in Sudan and the debate in Geneva. The MFA will instruct its Geneva Representative to meet with the U.S. and EU Representatives to gather additional information. End Summary. ¶2. (C) CDA delivered reftel demarche jointly with the French Ambassador on June 5, 2009 to MFA Chief of Staff Vincent Zakane. Zakane indicated that Burkina Faso is particularly attentive, at the highest levels, to the situation in Darfur, saying "we are fully invested in Sudan." Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issues, Zakane indicated that the GOBF feels strongly that a joint AU position will be required at the Human Rights Council. ¶3. (C) Zakane said that the GOBF was still in an information gathering phase because the situation in Sudan has evolved considerably since the last resolution. He welcomed any additional information that might be available on either the overall human rights situation in Sudan or the resolution process itself. CDA encouraged the Burkinabe Representative in Geneva to contact the U.S. Mission to receive the most recent updates on the situation and to play a constructive role in the debate. Zakane promised to pass this invitation to the Burkinabe delegation. ¶4. (C) The French Ambassador pressed that Burkina's role in this discussion is "decisive" due to former Minister of Foreign Affairs Bassolet's position as UN Mediator for Darfur and urged the GOBF to take the lead in shaping the AU debate. Zakane responded that Burkina Faso will make every effort to play a "positive" role in the discussion, but cautioned that Burkina is just one of 15 African countries involved. He concluded, "Compromise will be required." ¶5. (C) Comment: Burkina Faso is falling back to its traditional reliance on multilateral consensus on this issue and will be very reluctant to break with the AU at the Human Rights Council. However, Zakane's willingness to instruct the GOBF Representative to seek out additional information from the U.S. and EU Missions could be an opportunity to garner additional support in the AU debate for a stronger mandate resolution. LOCKARD