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RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1134
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 4565
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0503

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000467 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC ETTC ER SU
SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS ON NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN 
KHARTOUM AND THE EASTERN FRONT 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: AMB Scott H. DeLisi, for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Following a visit by a Sudanese 
delegation over Eritrea Independence Day, there has 
been some movement on the upcoming negotiations 
between the Government of National Unity (GNU) and 
Eastern Front.  Much, however, remains unresolved. 
While a date has been set for the upcoming "talk 
about talks" and commitments made, there are still 
some outstanding issues regarding observers to 
these initial preliminary meetings as well as over 
whether there is any need for outside assistance. 
Both sides are expected to be in touch with the GSE 
mediator during the coming week to provide their 
agenda, lists of delegations and thoughts on 
observers for the talks. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Over Eritrean Independence Day, a Sudanese 
delegation led by VP Ali Osman Taha met with 
Eritrean officials to discuss the upcoming 
negotiations between the Government of National 
Unity (GNU) and Eastern Front.  During discussions 
with the proposed mediator, PFDJ Political Chief 
Yemane Ghebreab, all sides agreed to an initial 
"talk about talks" to begin on June 13.  It is 
currently envisioned that these "talks about talks" 
will take place in Asmara and be chaired by Gebreab 
and last perhaps three days.  The focus of the 
talks will be on establishing an agenda for 
negotiations, a declaration of principles, 
inclusion of observers and other outstanding 
procedural issues. 
 
¶3. (C) In discussions with Norwegian Ambassador 
Arman Aardal and Dr. Amna Dirar of the Eastern 
Front, ConOff was told that both sides are 
currently in touch with Ghebreab and that they plan 
to provide him with their agenda items and lists of 
observers by June 1.  Once both sides have provided 
that information the GSE will draft an agenda and 
inform the resident diplomatic community of any 
financial needs required for talks and which 
governments would be asked to observe.  Amna 
stressed that the Eastern Front would like the 
U.S., UK, Norway, Italy, Germany and the 
Netherlands in attendance at the June 13 
discussions as observers.  However, both Amna and 
Ardal explained that the GNU continues to raise 
concerns about observers and seems likely to push 
for as few as possible although it seems likely at 
this stage that they will request observers from 
Egypt and Libya. 
 
¶4. (C) Aardal explained that Norway was willing to 
assist the GSE in any way necessary to ensure these 
negotiations go forward, including through 
provision of technical advisors and funding. 
Aardal queried whether the U.S. would also be 
willing to send observers and provide other 
technical and financial assistance if asked. 
 
¶5. (C) While the Eastern Front leadership is now 
all assembled in Asmara, Amna stressed that it is 
still unclear who will be leading the GNU 
delegation from Khartoum.  She explained that while 
initially it was believed that National Congress 
Party Representative Kamal Obeid had the lead 
regarding negotiations with the Eastern Front, it 
now appears that Presidential Advisor Nafi Ali Nafi 
may replace him.  The Eastern Front believes that 
Nafi Ali Nafi's role in negotiations signal that 
the GNU is only interested in a quick fix but not 
concerned with addressing the underlying causes for 
problems in eastern Sudan.  Nafi Ali Nafi led the 
Khartoum delegation to Cairo last year when they 
signed an agreement with Democratic Unionist Party 
(DUP) Leader Mirghani.  While it was initially 
believed that the agreement was between NCP and the 
National Democratic Alliance (NDA), only the DUP 
signed on to it. The Eastern Front (Beja Congress 
and Rashaida Free Lions) denounced the agreement 
 
last year and refused to attend the negotiations 
and instead pushed for separate negotiations with 
the GNU. 
 
¶6. (C) Action for Department: Post requests 
guidance on whether the we would be willing to send 
observers to the preparatory talks beginning June 
13 if requested by the GSE and the parties and 
whether we would be willing/able to respond to any 
possible requests for assistance for negotiations, 
in particular the need for technical advisors. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment:  While many issues surrounding 
negotiations remain unresolved, setting the date 
for preparatory talks and agreeing on a general 
framework for them are positive signs.  Given 
criticisms of the Cairo Agreement struck last year 
and events that surrounded it, post agrees with the 
Eastern Front that the Eritrean hosted negotiations 
might be yet another attempt by Khartoum to try and 
reach a quick fix - but not necessarily a 
substantive one - with the people of eastern Sudan 
so that they can refocus their attentions on 
implementation of Naivasha and quelling on-going 
problems in Darfur        End Comment. 
 
DELISI