Letter to Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, Samantha Power, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator- Kildee Bipartisan Letter Urging Support for Sudan's Endangered Democratic Transition

Letter

Secretary Blinken and Administrator Power:

We write to you today urging you to take more robust action to address Sudan's endangered democratic transition. We believe that action from the United States and partners is critical to support Sudan's democratic transition. The United States must change its policy to reflect the new realities in Sudan.

On October 25, 2021, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, with the support of Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, seized control of the Sudanese government through a military coup. The Sudanese people have condemned the military takeover and have bravely stood up to demand the right to choose their own future after decades of oppression. Before the October military coup overthrew Sudan's civilian-led government, Sudan was on track to normalize relations with the United States after a multi-year process of diplomatic engagement. But unfortunately, the Sudanese military is now once again tightening its grip on power, detaining and abusing pro-democracy activists, and using violence in an attempt to quash dissent. The Sudanese military's actions are unacceptable and represent a threat to Sudan's economic recovery and stability, the bilateral relationship between Sudan and the United States, and regional peace and security.

Supporting and defending democracy across the world is a top diplomatic goal for the U.S. As President Biden stated at his 2021 Summit for Democracy, "Democracy doesn't happen by accident. We have to defend it, fight for it, strengthen it, renew it."[1] Sudan's transition to democracy is a key opportunity for the Administration to operationalize this diplomatic goal. The Administration must take stronger action to support Sudan's democratic aspirations.

Last year, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the H.R. 6140, the Sudan Democracy Act, which would impose targeted sanctions against individuals and entities who actively undermine civilian-led democracy and human rights in Sudan. We will continue working with our colleagues in Congress to support Sudan's democratic transition. However, we believe there is ample opportunity for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development to take further action to support Sudan as well.

We would like to engage in constructive dialogue with the Administration and respectfully ask the following questions:

Sudanese protesters and various pro-democracy groups have rejected a return to power-sharing with the coup leaders and called for full civilian rule. Does the Administration support the Sudanese protesters' demand for full civilian rule for the remainder of the transition? What authorities could the Administration use to impose consequences on those responsible for violence against protesters in Sudan?

Does the Administration intend to use existing sanctions authorities such as those through the Global Magnitsky Act or others to target those responsible for human rights abuses in Sudan? How does the Administration plan to penalize those responsible for undermining the political transition in Sudan? What action does the Administration require from Congress in order to impose targeted sanctions in Sudan?

What is the Administration's assessments of reports of corrupt dealings by Sudan's security services, and what tools does the Administration have, or need, to counter a new kleptocracy from becoming entrenched in Sudan? Are there grounds for additional sanctions related to Russian activities in Sudan, including in relation to gold mining? Do General Hemedti, his family, or the Rapid Support Forces have business ties to Russia, and if so, what is the nature of those ties?

How is the Administration ensuring that the Sudan portfolio at the U.S. State Department receives the attention it deserves, considering the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia may limit available resources and personnel?

What are the priorities of John Godfrey, who was recently nominated to be ambassador to Sudan, and how will the Administration ensure his eventual appointment will not signal the legitimacy or acceptance of the junta in Sudan?

Some regional actors and foreign partners may have competing and possibly counterproductive priorities with respect to Sudan's transition and may have different objectives with respect to potential political negotiations there. How can the United States more robustly support or augment the UN initiative to end the political impasse and engender more support from the international community?

What is the Administration considering with respect to the $700 million in paused assistance to Sudan? If military leaders refuse to relinquish power, what are the prospects for Sudan's debt relief process? What are the Administration's conditions for the resumption of assistance?

We believe that strong action from the United States is critical to help revive Sudan's democratic transition. Thousands of Sudanese civilians are risking their lives for the democracy, and the United State must align its policies to support their democratic aspirations.

Sincerely,