Embassy was aware of tanks transfer to Juba

By Biketi Kikechi

The WikiLeaks reports say as of December 16, 2008 32 T-72 tanks belonging to the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) remained on flatcars at Kahawa Army Barracks in Nairobi.

According to the leaked cable, US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger wrote to Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, saying: "If indeed the tanks were not going to be transported in the foreseeable future we would expect to see them off-loaded soon and the flatcars returned to Rift Valley Railroad service."

He said the Government was understandably confused, as transfer of those tanks, in their view, dove-tailed with the goals of the United States to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by converting the SPLA from a guerrilla force to a small conventional force capable of defending Juba (but not take Khartoum).

The force should also be able to integrate with a national force and able to counterbalance the significant military capacity of Khartoum. Ranneberger said despite the Government of Kenya assurances, there were a number of factors that may lead to the eventual transfer of the tanks, including the need to maintain good relations with South Sudan and keep a friendly ally on Kenya’s unstable north western border.

Reversal of US POLICY

He also raised the issue of the substantial financial losses Kenya would incur if it did not complete the transfer because it did no need to add additional tank assets to its military; and the country’s financial and to a lesser extent, cultural/ideological links with South Sudan.

Ranneberger further said that over the past two years since 2008, Ministry of Defence officials had shared full details of their engagement with the SPLA as the US shared details of its training programme for the SPLA, including combat arms soldier training, under a May 2007 Presidential Directive. He said the Government of Kenya viewed the standoff on the arms as a reversal of US policy that has significant security, financial, and political implications for them.

He further observed in the cable that it was difficult to persuade Kenyans that transferring this equipment to the SPLA violates the terms of the CPA and, therefore, will merit sanctions if completed when they were well aware that the United States was continuing military to military security sector reform assistance to SPLA.

"We have been pushing the Government of Kenya very hard on the civilian side to bring about reform and good governance, and have sparked mounting resistance as a result," said Ranneberger.

He added that despite pressure and tension, the military to military relations had been excellent and the US’ unimpeded access had been of significant benefit to the US Government in terms of counterterrorism and anti-piracy.