Cablegate: Juba Peace Talks Deadlocked Broken

VZCZCXRO4708
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #0260 0531226
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221226Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0014
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000260

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, AF SE WILLIAMSON
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV SU UG
SUBJECT: JUBA PEACE TALKS DEADLOCKED BROKEN

REFERENCE: KHARTOUM 259

1. (SBU) With negotiations deadlocked over issues of power sharing
and integration of former LRA combatants into the Ugandan army, a
walkout-out by the LRA delegations on February 21 seemed to signal a
possible end to the Juba Peace Talks that had resumed on January 30.
However, shuttle diplomacy apparently continued into the night and
in the afternoon of February 22, post received reports that both
sides have agreed to compromise language on the affected issues,
which allows the parties to proceed with negotiations.

2. (SBU) Comment: Now that a compromise has just been reached on
what is termed Protocol Two, hopes are high again that a full
agreement can be concluded by the end of next week. The SPLM are
doing their best to pressure each side to make accommodations for
the sake of peace. For the Juba Peace Talks to continue to succeed,
sustained engagement and pressure by the international community
continues to be essential.

FERNANDEZ

© Scoop Media