VZCZCXRO8065
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1294/01 2381508
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251508Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1717
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001294
DEPT FOR AF/SPG, A/S FRAZER, SE WILLIAMSON
NSC FOR BPITTMAN AND CHUDSON
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL KPKO SOCI AU UNSC SU
SUBJECT: ABYEI JOINT SECURITY UNITS SEVERELY HAMPERED BY EQUIPMENT
DELAYS
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In response to offers by donor countries to
contribute to the newly-formed JIU and JIPU in Abyei, UNMIS has
proposed a partnership package, including a donor trust fund, to
facilitate donations. However, lack of will and both UN and
Sudanese bureaucracy threaten to prevent the rapid acquisition of
equipment vital to the new units' mission. END SUMMARY.
New Joint Security Units for Abyei
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (SBU) The June 8 Abyei Roadmap agreement provides for the
deployment of a reconstituted Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) battalion
as well as a joint police unit (JIPU), both made up of personnel
drawn from the north and south Sudan. The previous Abyei JIU
battalion disintegrated during the outbreak of fighting in May. The
JIPU also arrived last month and is still in the process of
deploying. The JIPU will be unique to Abyei. Personnel for the new
JIU arrived in Abyei approximately one month ago. The new JIU lacks
any equipment or supplies and is currently dependent on UNMIS
support for accommodation, water, and some rations. UNMIS has been
providing accommodation (in the form of tents) and rudimentary
training (hygiene, camp routine, basic military tactics, and rule of
law).
3. (SBU) According to the UK DATT, who visited Abyei August 20, the
JIU is now fully manned, but lacks the equipment required to perform
its security mission. He said the JIPU is in the process of being
staffed and trained. Despite early concerns that the two units
might overlap in their missions and create confusion, he reported
that the JIU and the JIPU are cooperating well and have worked out a
division of responsibilities. However, the JIPU suffers from a
divided chain of command, having to report to both the GNU in
Khartoum and GoSS in Juba.
UNMIS Seeks to Facilitate Bilateral Donations
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4. (SBU) Although according to the CPA the GNU is responsible for
funding the JIUs, to date it only has provided about 40% of the
JIUs' total budgetary requirements, enough for salaries, but leaving
the existing JIUs lacking in basic infrastructure and equipment to
carry out their intended mission. Several donor countries (e.g.,
UK, the Netherlands, Egypt) expressed interest in providing
bilateral support to activate the new Abyei security units. In
response to these offers, UNMIS has circulated a proposal to donor
country-embassies for a partnership to support the reconstituted JIU
battalion in Abyei. (Note: UNMIS proposal has been transmitted
electronically to AF/SPG. End note.) Simultaneously, UNMIS has
circulated a proposal for a separate JIPU Rapid Deployment Package.
Abyei JIU Immediate Needs Package
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5. (SBU) UNMIS is proposing a partnership among the JIU, UNMIS, and
donor countries to provide the Abyei battalion with a package of
training, materiel, and specialist support to make the unit
operational. Support would take the form of accommodations and
infrastructure, communications, and transport. UNMIS estimates the
approximate total cost of the package at US$4.01 million.
6. (SBU) The proposed UNMIS partnership envisions Sudan's JIU and
UNMIS acting as a clearing house for proposals and funds and
providing advice and assistance to the Abyei battalion. UNMIS
already is providing limited direct support to the Abyei JIU as
described above. UNMIS is soliciting donor country contributions to
fund the remaining requirements. The UK reportedly has made
available funds for quick impact procurement of equipment outside of
the proposed trust fund. Once the Abyei JIU becomes operational,
the battalion's on-going costs would be funded by the GNU, in
accordance with the CPA.
7. (SBU) UNMIS estimates of specific JIU requirements and
associated costs are:
Command, control and information systems $192,954
Electricity supply $224,023
Transport $852,020
Engineering equipment $1,530,653
Accommodation $1,208,987
JIPU Rapid Deployment Package
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
8. (SBU) UNMIS has proposed a similar assistance package to provide
support needed to activate the Abyei JIPU. UNMIS proposes that it
KHARTOUM 00001294 002 OF 002
provide the JIPU with the same support it is providing the JIU. In
addition, it will rebuild two damaged police stations in Abyei for
the use of the JIPU. It is seeking donor support for additional
requirements, totaling an estimated US$853,332. Some donors who are
prohibited by law from providing military assistance, (e.g., Germany
and Norway) may be willing to donate to JIPU support.
9. (SBU) UNMIS breaks down JIPU requirements and associated costs
as:
Basic orientation program $93,790
Workshop on post-conflict trauma $10,170
Workshop on conflict resolution $10,170
Office equipment $44,082
Uniforms & personal equipment $367,476
Communication equipment $122,097
Transport $205,547
UN/Sudanese Bureaucracy Hinder Procurement
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10. (SBU) According to the UNMIS POC for JIU issues, purchases for
the JIU from the Trust Fund will be made through the UN procurement
system. The UNMIS POC complained that the UN system is complicated
and slow. As a result, he anticipates that procurement of equipment
urgently needed for the JIU to perform its mission will take months.
11. (SBU) The UK reportedly has made available bilateral funds
outside of the Trust Fund for quick-impact purchases. However, our
UNMIS contact said that when it sought to use some of this money to
import commercial radios for JIU communications, it had difficulty
obtaining the required end-user certificates from the GNU, although
the JIU is a Sudanese government entity. He expressed frustration
at the apparent lack of urgency on the part of Sudanese authorities.
Another concern is the receptivity of the Joint Defense Board (JDB
-- the JIUs' command) to outside assistance. On at least one
occasion, the JDB blocked a package of assistance to the JIUs from
Norway.
Comment
- - - -
12. (SBU) UNMIS' positive initiative represents an effort to
facilitate assistance from donor states that would like to support
implementation of the Abyei roadmap by assisting the two joint
security units there. This effort deserves our support despite
limited USG ability to provide material assistance to the JIU and
JIPU due to US legal restrictions. UNMIS' efforts are at risk of
being thwarted by a combination of UN bureaucracy and lack of
urgency on the part of Sudanese authorities. Post plans to raise
the issue of JIU and JIPU support with Sudanese authorities, and we
suggest that this should also be part of any future bilateral
discussions headed by the Special Envoy.
ASQUINO