Bipartisan Group of 120 Lawmakers Call on President Obama to Keep Sudan Humanitarian Crisis a High Priority

Statement

Today a bipartisan group of 120 members of Congress is calling on President Obama to re-prioritize peace, accountability and protection of civilians in Sudan during his final year in office. The bipartisan letter is led by Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Joseph Pitts (R-PA), co-chairs of a bipartisan Congressional human rights commission, and the co-chairs of the bipartisan Sudan and South Sudan Issues Caucus: Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX), Mike Capuano (D-MA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Barbara Lee (D-CA). In the letter, the lawmakers call for strong U.S. leadership and advocacy on the grave abuses and humanitarian crisis that persist and continue to worsen inside Sudan itself.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) said: "As the violence in Sudan grows worse, the world is looking to the United States to be a strong partner in the effort to build a lasting peace and address this devastating humanitarian crisis. Today in Sudan, families are being displaced, hunger and malnutrition have reached crisis levels, and civilians face the constant threat of aerial bombings. With today's letter, our bipartisan coalition is calling on President Obama to make Sudan a top priority by taking new steps to protect the Sudanese people and put an end to this violent conflict."

Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) said: "We must not allow the conflict in Sudan to vanish from our collective memory. The Sudanese government is purposely withholding aid from conflict regions, brandishing starvation as a weapon. Children in Darfur suffer from advanced stages of malnourishment, as food insecurity in the city is at emergency levels-- one step below famine. My colleagues and I wrote to the Obama Administration today to encourage the President to keep the protection of human rights in Sudan at the forefront of his agenda in the last year of his presidency. One of the most powerful weapons we enjoy, as a nation, is the effective use of our influence; now is the time to wield it. The Administration must step forward and provide leadership to the international community in continuing to center its attention on this conflict."

Rep. Mike Capuano (D-MA) said: "Tragically, the people of Sudan are still living in fear, enduring an ongoing humanitarian crisis in a region where murder and violence are commonplace. Millions of people have fled their homes and many are facing starvation. Circumstances are dire and we urge the Administration to enhance its advocacy for the people of Sudan."

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) said: "The ongoing tragedy in Darfur is heartbreaking. Every day innocent men, women, and children suffer atrocities including rape and murder and millions more are in need of life-saving aid. The United States must do more to help the people of Sudan. We can accomplish this by isolating the Sudanese government with economic sanctions such as designating Sudanese gold as "conflict gold' and by holding countries such as India and Saudi Arabia accountable for allowing Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir to travel freely without arresting him in accordance with the International Criminal Court. The administration must act now to help stop the violence and protect the Sudanese people."

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) said: "Tragically, the violence in Sudan is escalating daily. Millions of people have been displaced, food insecurity is rampant and violence continues unchecked. Today, I'm joining more than 100 of my colleagues in asking President Obama to prioritize building peace and stability in Sudan. Through sustained diplomacy and high-level engagement, the U.S. has an opportunity to make a difference in Sudan and in the lives of the Sudanese people"