WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement of an atrocities determination in Sudan after months of congressional pressure on the issue. This announcement comes after the Biden Administration sanctioned three Bashir-era Islamists and signaled its initiation of engaging in high-level diplomacy to curb foreign support for the Rapid Support Forces.
“We hope the Biden Administration’s recent actions indicate a departure from the previous policy approach, which failed to effectively address the conflict, ignored crucial dynamics, and contributed to civilian harm. The administration must show strong, all-encompassing U.S. leadership to resolve the Sudan conflict. A qualified special envoy should lead the Sudan policy, with unhindered access to the secretary of State and the president.
“The United States must take decisive action against those supplying weapons, funding, and support to both parties in Sudan. High-level accountability is essential. We must also build a coalition to halt the escalation of this deadly war and prevent the collapse of Sudan. We should use the atrocities determination and recent sanctions designations as tools to build a bolder policy approach.”
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