DARFUR FACTION LEADER DENIES REBEL MERGER

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000022 SENSITIVE SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS DEPT FOR AF/E AND S/USSES E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020 TAGS: PREL PGOV SU ER SUBJECT: DARFUR FACTION LEADER DENIES REBEL MERGER REF: A. TRIPOLI 062 ¶B. KHARTOUM 073 Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (C) Khamis Abdallah, leader of his own faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM/Khamis) denied reports that his movement participated in the recent merger of Darfur groups in Kufra, Libya (Ref A). He stated the Kufra event was a shallow attempt at peace that incorporated only token representatives from rebel movements. He was also dubious of the reported newly signed peace agreement between Sudan and Chad (Ref B),and believed it will not bear fruit. ¶2. (C) Abdallah later stated he plans to host a conference for his faction in Asmara from January 30-February 15. He plans to bring 30-40 SLM/Khamis members to Asmara (he claims to already have 10 officers in country). Between now and the conference, Abdallah said he will travel back to Darfur, via Chad, and does not have plans to return to Nairobi anytime soon. (NOTE: Post is doubtful the conference will actually take place, since on January 28 one of Abdallah's staff requested the embassy to fund the event. End Note.) McMullen