SE Gration Meeting with JSR to UNAMID Gambari

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000266 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SE GRATION, S/USSES, AF A/S CARSON, AF/E DEPT FOR AF/PDPA, IIP/G/AF, RRU-AF DEPT FOR DRL/RSPRING DEPT FOR USAID APR/SUDAN NSC FOR MGAVIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PTER ET SUBJECT: SE Gration Meeting with JSR to UNAMID Gambari ADDIS ABAB 00000266 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration met with Joint Special Representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID),Ibrahim Gambari on January 30 to share observations and discuss priorities for UNAMID. The conversation covered the core mandate of UNAMID, Chad-Sudan relations, security issues and upcoming elections. Both SE Gration and JSR/UNAMID Gambari agreed that UNAMID action is urgent, with a narrow window to make an impact before the spotlight shifts to elections and referendum concerns. Gambari inquired how the USG can assist UNAMID in the security sector. The meeting revealed agreement on key priorities in Sudan but slight differences of focus for the main challenges. Gration and Gambari further resolved to work in concert with each other and European partners to support stability and a cessation of violence in Darfur and the region. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Participants: U.S.: Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration Office of U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Cameron Hudson Office of U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Miriam Estrin U.S. Embassy Deputy Political and Economic Counselor Kathryn Pongonis U.S. Embassy Third Secretary Stephanie Reed (note taker) UNAMID: Joint Special Representative to UNAMID, Ibrahim Gambari GAMBARI'S INITIAL OBSERVATIONS AND FOCAL POINTS -------------- -- ¶3. (SBU) JSR/UNAMID Gambari first shared his initial, frank impressions of the UNAMID mission. Since the execution of quick-impact goodwill projects, Gambari said he has noticed an increased Sudanese perception that UNAMID is a useful partner. As UNAMID shifts from deployment to a substantive action phase, Gambari hopes to broaden the tripartite mechanism. He has high expectations for the mission but underscored that success depends on high support levels. ¶4. (SBU) Gambari also shared his personal priorities for UNAMID - citing the peace process, security and Chad-Sudan relations as his top concerns. He vocalized his goal of UNAMID becoming a positive force in moving the peace process forward. Gambari expressed his plan for clear objectives instead of an open-ended process. Furthermore, Gambari said he hoped for concrete accomplishments before the attention shifted to the upcoming election and South Sudan referendum. ¶5. (SBU) Gambari also highlighted security as a top concern. He linked security to the goal of voluntary returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Gambari further mentioned unease at the security situation in IDP camps. He advanced the idea of development, particularly provision of basic services, as an integral component of alleviating security risks. ¶6. (SBU) A pet priority of Gambari is the amelioration of Chad-Sudan relations. While acknowledging the agreement to normalize Chad-Sudan relations, he expressed ongoing concern at breaches of the agreement. Gambari believed that resolution of this component of the Darfur peace process might improve 40 percent of problems in the region. ¶7. (SBU) Wrapping up his initial assessment, JSR/UNAMID Gambari conveyed a desire to increase collaboration with SE to Sudan as well as P-5 and EU envoys. Gambari described himself as the Special Envoy's "servant," noting that he acted as hands on the ground for all engaged parties. Speaking of cooperation, JSR/UNAMID inquired about the USG perspective on the Doha process as well as USG security contributions to UNAMID. GRATION CLARIFIES USG PRIORITIES ADDIS ABAB 00000266 002.2 OF 002 -------------- ¶8. (SBU) SE Gration concurred with Gambari's focal points, but highlighted local security as a critical USG concern. Gration noted the positive trend in Chad-Sudan relations, contrasting this situation to ongoing violence and instability in the IDP camps. Noting a need for a greater police presence, Gration suggested recruiting IDP camp residents for the police force, including women. He informed JSR/UNAMID Gambari of his talks with the Ministry of Justice about a complementary police force. SE Gration also raised the issues of gender-based violence and justice as cardinal pieces of the Darfur puzzle. "WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FAIL" -------------- ¶9. (SBU) JSR/UNAMID supported the idea of enhancing local security to facilitate the return of IDPs. He identified agreement on what needed to be done and a desire to make a difference. He agreed with the need for additional police, but noted a need for training equipment. Gration remarked that he could assist Gambari with locating resources, noting that he could link UNAMID with European partners. IMPENDING ELECTIONS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Gambari also concurred with SE Gration that UNAMID must be proactive in the run-up to the elections. He and Gration discussed the critical importance of the elections and broad voter participation. Gration elaborated that the elections would serve as a practice for the referendum. Gambari agreed, but clarified that Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios would focus on the larger political issues in Sudan. (Note: UN Secretary General Moon announced his intention to appoint Menkerios as the new head of the UN Mission in Sudan. End note.) Gambari proclaimed that on a personal level he viewed the various Sudan challenges as an issue of broad democratic transformation across the entire country. ¶11. (U). SE Gration cleared this message. YATES