OBASANJO MEETINGS WITH BASHIR, QADHAFI

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001354 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2014 TAGS: PREL, MOPS, MARR, SU, NI SUBJECT: OBASANJO MEETINGS WITH BASHIR, QADHAFI Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell. Reasons 1.5 (B & D). 1. (C) Garrick Kayode, Senior Special Assistant to the National Security Advisor, briefed PolCouns August 4 on President Obasanjo's Sunday August 1 meetings with Sudanese President Bashir and Libyan leader Qadhafi. The Bashir meeting went very well, in Obasanjo's opinion. He persuaded Bashir to allow the AU effort to tackle "normalcy, disarmament and humanitarian aid, and won a pledge from Bashir to increase the Sudanese security presence significantly in Darfur to disengage the Janjawid. (Note: Media reports that the GOS has since announced it would double its security forces in Darfur.) Bashir further agreed that the AU observers and military protection units can set up in Darfur "as quick as they can arrive," and that the AU military observers can inspect Sudanese police and other security units to check whether Janjawid elements are being re-badged as GOS security forces. 2. (C) President Obasanjo's meeting with Qadhafi was not productive. Obasanjo flew to Sirte to meet with Qadhafi at Bashir's request to get Libyan assistance on transportation and humanitarian aid. Qadhafi was not responsive, and Kayode speculated that other countries might have to weigh in with Qadhafi to get Libyan help. CAMPBELL