Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRETORIA1004
2009-05-18 15:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
GOSS REPRESENTATIVES TALK POLITICS AND SOUTH
how-toP 181557Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8506 INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN PRIORITY AMCONSUL DURBAN PRIORITY AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001004
DEPT FOR AF/S - MARBURGJR AND FIERSTPD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019
TAGS: PREL SF SU
SUBJECT: GOSS REPRESENTATIVES TALK POLITICS AND SOUTH
AFRICA'S ROLE IN SUDAN
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001004
DEPT FOR AF/S - MARBURGJR AND FIERSTPD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019
TAGS: PREL SF SU
SUBJECT: GOSS REPRESENTATIVES TALK POLITICS AND SOUTH
AFRICA'S ROLE IN SUDAN
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) Southern
Africa Liaison Office representatives delivered a message to
Poloff intended to "counteract Khartoum's propaganda." They
discussed the political situation in Sudan and South Africa's
role. They are optimistic about South Africa's engagement
with the GOSS under President Zuma's leadership. So far the
Zuma administration has indicated no major shifts in foreign
policy. End summary.
2. (C) Diplomatic Affairs Officer Killa Janda and Information
Officer Peter Bio Alier requested a meeting with Poloff to
brief on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and
challenges to its implementation; peace and war in Darfur and
the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment of Sudanese
President Omar al-Bashir; and matters of mutual interest.
Janda and Alier expressed appreciation for U.S. efforts to
secure peace in Sudan and for the work of Special Envoy Scott
Gration. Regarding the ICC indictment, Janda argued that
al-Bashir should take responsibility for Darfur. She
regarded the argument that the indictment threatened the CPA
as propaganda because "Khartoum is totally unprepared for
war." She described the impact of the indictment as "more
psychological than anything else." Janda and Alier said the
indictment provided the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement
(SPLM) an opportunity to unite and lead the "marginalized"
peoples of Sudan. In terms of the GOSS' strategic value to
the U.S., they mentioned shared counterterrorism goals.
3. (C) Janda and Alier described South Africa's role in the
Sudanese conflicts as "crucial" and they initially feared
that Zuma might focus on domestic issues to the detriment of
foreign policy. Janda described the African National
Congress (ANC) and South African Government (SAG) as
"revolutionary in their outlook," which she said explains the
kinship between ANC liberation fighters and SPLM leaders.
Janda touted the large SPLM delegation (she claimed there
were six members) who attended President Zuma's inauguration
as proof of close ties. She also mentioned that GOSS
President Salva Kiir Mayardit met with Zuma during that
visit. Based on discussions with SAG and ANC contacts, Janda
is convinced that the Zuma administration will continue to
pursue a "very strong" African agenda. In her view, the ANC
didn't have a problem with Mbeki's African agenda, but his
lack of consultation with ANC leaders. She said SAG
officials had given her their top three foreign policy
priorities: Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
and Sudan, with a stronger leaning towards the needs of South
Sudan. Janda believes Zuma's focus on domestic sectors that
were neglected under former President Thabo Mbeki will
translate into SAG engagement with Africa's poor because Zuma
"is not trying to behave as a sophisticated politician rather
he is a man of the people and he cares about Africa." She
also thinks Zuma will pressure the parties to conflicts to
abide by agreements and she doubts he will tolerate delays.
Janda added, "We are optimistic" about foreign policy under
Zuma's leadership.
4. (C) Signaling no major shift in the SAG's Sudan policy,
during a media interview on May 14, the new Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation Maite
Nkoana-Mashabane reiterated the long-standing SAG objection
QNkoana-Mashabane reiterated the long-standing SAG objection
to the indictment of al-Bashir. She said his arrest would
not solve the country's problems and added, "We know of many
other not so democratic leaders around the world who are not
being taken to the Hague." Institute for Security Studies
analyst Paula Roque thinks there will not be disengagement on
foreign policy issues under Zuma, but that policy differences
under Zuma will be internal. She does not believe there will
be a change in SAG policy on Sudan unless the CPA collapses
or the referendum goes wrong. Roque noted that the SAG is
already planning for post-referendum relations with the GOSS
by opening a consulate in Juba in April 2009. She said South
Africa is concerned with the precedence that Sudan sets for
Africa. She mentioned business interests in Sudan of
high-ranking ANC members, including Minister of Human
Settlements Tokyo Sexwale. Roque affirmed the "natural
affiliation" between the ANC and SPLM. She agreed that
Zimbabwe, DRC and Sudan were the SAG's top three priorities,
at least until a country considered more important erupts.
LA LIME
DEPT FOR AF/S - MARBURGJR AND FIERSTPD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019
TAGS: PREL SF SU
SUBJECT: GOSS REPRESENTATIVES TALK POLITICS AND SOUTH
AFRICA'S ROLE IN SUDAN
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond L. Brown. Reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) Southern
Africa Liaison Office representatives delivered a message to
Poloff intended to "counteract Khartoum's propaganda." They
discussed the political situation in Sudan and South Africa's
role. They are optimistic about South Africa's engagement
with the GOSS under President Zuma's leadership. So far the
Zuma administration has indicated no major shifts in foreign
policy. End summary.
2. (C) Diplomatic Affairs Officer Killa Janda and Information
Officer Peter Bio Alier requested a meeting with Poloff to
brief on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and
challenges to its implementation; peace and war in Darfur and
the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment of Sudanese
President Omar al-Bashir; and matters of mutual interest.
Janda and Alier expressed appreciation for U.S. efforts to
secure peace in Sudan and for the work of Special Envoy Scott
Gration. Regarding the ICC indictment, Janda argued that
al-Bashir should take responsibility for Darfur. She
regarded the argument that the indictment threatened the CPA
as propaganda because "Khartoum is totally unprepared for
war." She described the impact of the indictment as "more
psychological than anything else." Janda and Alier said the
indictment provided the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement
(SPLM) an opportunity to unite and lead the "marginalized"
peoples of Sudan. In terms of the GOSS' strategic value to
the U.S., they mentioned shared counterterrorism goals.
3. (C) Janda and Alier described South Africa's role in the
Sudanese conflicts as "crucial" and they initially feared
that Zuma might focus on domestic issues to the detriment of
foreign policy. Janda described the African National
Congress (ANC) and South African Government (SAG) as
"revolutionary in their outlook," which she said explains the
kinship between ANC liberation fighters and SPLM leaders.
Janda touted the large SPLM delegation (she claimed there
were six members) who attended President Zuma's inauguration
as proof of close ties. She also mentioned that GOSS
President Salva Kiir Mayardit met with Zuma during that
visit. Based on discussions with SAG and ANC contacts, Janda
is convinced that the Zuma administration will continue to
pursue a "very strong" African agenda. In her view, the ANC
didn't have a problem with Mbeki's African agenda, but his
lack of consultation with ANC leaders. She said SAG
officials had given her their top three foreign policy
priorities: Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
and Sudan, with a stronger leaning towards the needs of South
Sudan. Janda believes Zuma's focus on domestic sectors that
were neglected under former President Thabo Mbeki will
translate into SAG engagement with Africa's poor because Zuma
"is not trying to behave as a sophisticated politician rather
he is a man of the people and he cares about Africa." She
also thinks Zuma will pressure the parties to conflicts to
abide by agreements and she doubts he will tolerate delays.
Janda added, "We are optimistic" about foreign policy under
Zuma's leadership.
4. (C) Signaling no major shift in the SAG's Sudan policy,
during a media interview on May 14, the new Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation Maite
Nkoana-Mashabane reiterated the long-standing SAG objection
QNkoana-Mashabane reiterated the long-standing SAG objection
to the indictment of al-Bashir. She said his arrest would
not solve the country's problems and added, "We know of many
other not so democratic leaders around the world who are not
being taken to the Hague." Institute for Security Studies
analyst Paula Roque thinks there will not be disengagement on
foreign policy issues under Zuma, but that policy differences
under Zuma will be internal. She does not believe there will
be a change in SAG policy on Sudan unless the CPA collapses
or the referendum goes wrong. Roque noted that the SAG is
already planning for post-referendum relations with the GOSS
by opening a consulate in Juba in April 2009. She said South
Africa is concerned with the precedence that Sudan sets for
Africa. She mentioned business interests in Sudan of
high-ranking ANC members, including Minister of Human
Settlements Tokyo Sexwale. Roque affirmed the "natural
affiliation" between the ANC and SPLM. She agreed that
Zimbabwe, DRC and Sudan were the SAG's top three priorities,
at least until a country considered more important erupts.
LA LIME