WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement on the coup in Sudan:
“We condemn in the strongest terms Monday’s coup by Sudanese security forces. The arrest and detention of Prime Minister Hamdok, other cabinet members, and members of civil society represents the dissolution of the historic political agreement between Sudan’s military leaders and civilian groups that put Sudan on the path towards democratic transition, and threatens progress toward mending our relationship with Sudan in recent years.
“The military junta must immediately end the state of emergency, release Prime Minister Hamdok and members of his cabinet unharmed, restore the civilian-led transitional government, and respect the rights of Sudanese citizens to peacefully protest. They must show restraint and safeguard the human rights of all protesters.
“Over the past two years, Sudan sought to recover from decades of horrific abuse and political oppression under the dictatorial regime of Omar al-Bashir. Today’s events are a stunning betrayal of the hard-fought gains of the Sudanese people and their steadfast commitment to a democratic, civilian-led Sudan. The junta’s failure to reverse course will result in dire consequences. We will remain engaged with the administration to assess the implications for our relationship with Sudan, including the immediate suspension of further international financial assistance and other appropriate measures.”
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