Cablegate: Highjacking of Sudanese Aircraft

R 261930Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1729

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001301

FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/CC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: HIGHJACKING OF SUDANESE AIRCRAFT

1. (U) A/CDA was contacted by RSO (on TDY in Darfur) at 20:00 on
August 26 and informed of the highjacking of a Sudanese domestic Sun
Air Flight enroute from the Darfuri city of Nyala to Khartoum.
The plane was diverted to Kufar, Libya where it landed.

2. (U) A/CDA passed this information to State Ops and AF. The
Core EAC (D/RSO, MGT, CONS, and RAO) met at 22:00 to evaluate
information gathered from various sources RAO and MGT confirmed
that based on airport contacts there were no Americans onboard
flight. One report from airport contacts had all of the
approximately 90 passengers and crew onboard as Sudanese with a
second report saying they are all Sudanese except for 2 Egyptians
and 1 African whose nationality was not known. MGT through the
Embassy travel section confirmed that no FSNs were booked on flight.
Post provided this update to State Ops and AF.

3. (SBU) RA and RSO heard reports that hijackers estimated to be 3
to 4 armed men reportedly boarded flight through a fist class
lounge in Nyala. The same reports said they belonged to either the
Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) Abdu Wahid faction or the SLA Minni
Minnawi faction. Post has no further information on affiliations
or motive for the hijacking at this time.

4. Post has not been contacted by GoS for assistance. EAC will
continue to monitor situation.

ASQUINO

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