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