Ellison To Visit Sudan As House Foreign Affairs Member

Press Release

Ellison To Visit Sudan As House Foreign Affairs Member

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) will travel to the Sudan under the auspices of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Ellison hopes to discuss the humanitarian situation in Darfur in the aftermath of the Khartoum government's decision to expel thirteen aid agencies in the war torn area. The Khartoum government has since allowed some relief agencies back in to the country; however, serious humanitarian issues continue to exist.

Ellison also intends to discuss the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) recently agreed upon by the Khartoum-based government, and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) of Southern Sudan. The CPA, signed with strong U.S. support, grants the SPLM regional autonomy and calls for wealth-sharing, power-sharing and security arrangements between the two parties.

Prior to the signing of the CPA a decades-long conflict was waged between the two parties that left more than 2 million people dead, and over 4 million displaced.

Ellison will also inquire into the progress being made towards the national elections; the status of the census and contested areas which are essential to the national elections; and the return of displaced persons.

The delegation will visit a United Nations peacekeeping mission, meet with representatives of the humanitarian organizations remaining in Sudan, and assess the status of U.S. assistance to Sudan as well as the efforts of the Office of the United States Special Envoy to Sudan.

"The Congressman's trip comes at a critical time when we are working to unify rebel groups in Darfur and preparing parties to return to the negotiating table. We are pleased that he and other Members of Congress are willing to travel to the Sudan to see the conditions on the ground first hand," stated Jonathan S. Gration, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret), President Obama's Special Envoy to Sudan.

The Congressman intends to visit several refugee camps located in the South. Many of the Congressman's Minnesota Sudanese residents emanate from the South.

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