WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) released the following statements on today’s committee passage of S.Res.380, a resolution reiterating United States support for the people of the Republic of South Sudan in their quest for lasting peace, stability, and democracy after 10 years of independence. The resolution also calls for a review of U.S. policy toward South Sudan given the persistent intercommunal violence, humanitarian crisis, and corruption in the country, and the lack of political will by its leaders to genuinely commit to peace and democracy and resolve outstanding issues.
“I am pleased the committee acted in a bipartisan manner to pass this important resolution, which draws attention to South Sudan's first decade as an independent country and clearly lays out both the challenges it faces and the need for a review of U.S. policy toward the world's youngest country,” said Risch. “While the U.S. has always been and remains a strong friend of the South Sudanese people, this bipartisan resolution sends a direct signal to South Sudan's leaders that their failure to lead and corrupt behavior is not only hurting its citizens, but the future of their country. S.Res.380 serves as a vital blueprint to recalibrate the U.S. bilateral relationship with South Sudan and act more decisively in the interest of its people.”
“Ten years after South Sudan first gained independence, its people still continue to endure staggering levels of violence, food insecurity, and ongoing political instability,” said Booker. “I am glad to see that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed this bipartisan resolution that recognizes the South Sudanese people’s ongoing fight for democracy and prosperity, and urges the U.S. government to review its policy towards the country in an effort to uphold human rights and promote lasting peace.”
Text of the resolution as introduced can be found here.
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