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Congress Celebrates South Sudan Independence; Deplores Violence in Northern Sudan

Friday, July 8th, 2011

On Saturday, South Sudan will become the world’s newest country. As we congratulate the people of South Sudan on the birth of their nation, we remain deeply concerned about the ongoing violence taking place in northern Sudan’s Darfur and Southern Kordofan regions. Members of Congress have also spoken out by recognizing this important moment for South Sudan, while urging the protection of civilians in areas now under attack.

Congressional statements and floor speeches are included below. We will continue to update this page.

Members of the House of Representatives Speak Out

July 6, 2011

Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ)–Ranking Member of the Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Sudan Caucus–released a press statement saying in part:

As a Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, I have been committed to helping Sudan achieve peace and justice. I have worked closely with the U.S. Department of State and the international community throughout the years to ensure that South Sudan become an independent nation. The United States has been a critical partner in the peace process that led us to where we are today. Therefore, I am proud to be a part of the Presidential Delegation to participate in South Sudan’s independence ceremony. While today marks a great achievement, let us not forget to reinforce our past investment in diplomacy and development to ensure that the current progress evolves into stability and growth.

July 7, 2011

Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) made the following statement on the House floor:

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Sign Up to Lobby Congress

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

We are at a critical moment for Sudan and Congress has an important role to play. As the Republic of South Sudan gains independence and violence continues throughout Darfur and border areas, we want to provide concerned advocates with an opportunity to make your voice heard.

Students Lobby Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), Sudan Caucus Co-Chair

Lobby Your Senators During the August Recess

Your Senators will be home in your state meeting with constituents from August 8-September 2. Because the August recess runs for 4 weeks—often the longest recess period all year—it offers a significant window of time to plan a meeting with your Senator’s office. With so much going on, we anticipate that August will be a crucial month to lobby on both Sudan and genocide prevention.

Sign Up Today

All you need to do right now is sign up. We’ll follow-up with additional information and can answer any questions you have. We’ll provide talking points and materials for your meeting. We will also be holding several training calls to help you prepare and can connect you with others in your area who might be interested in lobbying.

Sign up to lobby your Senators today. Meetings will need to be scheduled soon.

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Senate Committee Approves Libya Resolution

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Yesterday morning, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on Libya, titled Libya and War Powers.  The Committee heard testimony from legal adviser to the State Department Harold Koh, and debated the constitutionality of the of the President’s military involvement in Libya in light of the War Powers Resolution.  Among other concerns, the issue of what message US action (or inaction) in Libya will send to the Gaddafi regime guided many of the arguments put forth by Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Dick Lugar (R-IN), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Jim Risch (R-ID).

State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh

While we understand the need to debate such issues, we compel Congress to focus on civilian protection and to authorize the military intervention now underway to protect civilians in Libya. In fact, Mr. Koh’s testimony emphasized that despite legal debate surrounding U.S. intervention in Libya, the Gaddafi regime has systematically targeted civilians and civilian protection should be the priority. Koh stated, “If the legal issue is resolved in one way or the other, the choice still remains what to do about the civilians of Libya.”

 

In the afternoon following the hearing, the Committee considered the passage of S.J.Res.20, which would authorize the limited use of force in Libya. We are pleased that the joint resolution passed in a 14-5 vote.  Last week, the House considered and voted against a similar measure that would authorize limited US involvement in Libya.  The next step will be for S.J.Res.20 to be considered on the Senate floor.  We hope that a vote will take place before the end of the week, when the Senate leaves for the July 4th recess.

 

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House Defeats Legislation on Libya

Friday, June 24th, 2011

House Votes Against Two Separate Initiatives

Today the House voted against a bill, H.R.2278, which would cut U.S. funding for NATO operations in Libya. The measure was defeated in a 180-238 vote. A separate measure, H.J.Res.68, which would have authorized the use of force in Libya, was also defeated in the House by a vote of 123-295.

While we are pleased that the House voted against H.R.2278, we remain concerned about the apparent lack of commitment to protecting civilians in Libya. The House had the opportunity to authorize the mission through H.J.Res.68, but failed to pass the measure. Recent news and analysis makes clear that the House will continue their efforts to cut off funding for Libya when they return from a congressional recess on July 6th.

Senate Committee to Consider Legislation Tuesday

Next week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to consider legislation introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ). The joint resolution, S.J.Res.20, would authorize limited use of force in Libya. The measure will be up for consideration before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next Tuesday, June 28th. We urge members of the Senate to make civilian protection in Libya a priority by voting in favor of S.J.Res.20.

 

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Congress to Consider Libya Legislation

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

There has been ongoing Congressional debate centered on the process through which military action has been taken in Libya. While the Senate has sought ways to support efforts, the House continues to threaten actions that could serve to effectively end the current mission.

In the midst of the debate, one critical point is repeatedly overlooked: the objective of protecting civilians.

Various legislative measures up for consideration before the House and Senate over the next few days could serve to either authorize or undermine the current efforts of the United States. The protection of civilians in Libya–along with the pursuit of America’s moral values and strategic national interest–is in jeopardy. Congress should act now to authorize the use of force to protect civilians in Libya.

(From left) Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Kerry (D-MA). Photo by Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call.

Senate to Consider Kerry-McCain Resolution

On June 21, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) introduced a resolution that would authorize the use of force in Libya. In addition to Kerry and McCain, the bipartisan Senate Joint Resolution 20 (S.J.Res.20) currently has 10 co-sponsors. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to vote on S.J.Res.20 on Tuesday, June 28 following a hearing on Libya. If passed by the Committee, the resolution will then be up for a vote before the entire Senate.

House Considers Competing Pieces of Legislation

Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL)

Tomorrow, the House is expected to vote on at least one of three pieces of legislation involving Libya:

  • House Joint Resolution 68 (H.J.Res.68), introduced by Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL), mirrors the Senate resolution and would authorize the use of force in Libya.
  • A yet unnumbered House concurrent resolution would request that the President end U.S. involvement in offensive operations.
  • House Bill 2278 (H.R.2278), introduced by Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL), would cut off funding for offensive operations in Libya.

We are supportive of H.J.Res.68, but in opposition to both the concurrent resolution and H.R.2278.

You Can Help Support Civilian Protection in Libya

  1. Call your senators and urge them to vote in favor of S.J.Res.20 to support civilian protection in Libya. Go here to locate contact information for your senators (search by state).
  2. Call your representative and urge him/her vote in favor of H.J.Res.68 to support civilian protection in Libya. Go here to locate contact information for your representative.

 

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House Committee discusses South Sudan: Talk versus Action

Friday, June 17th, 2011

On Thursday afternoon, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights held a hearing entitled Africa’s Newest Nation: The Republic of Southern Sudan.

Panelists included Princeton Lyman, US Special Envoy for Sudan; Roger Winter, former US Special Representative on Sudan; Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of the Diocese of Tambura-Yambio; John Eibner, CEO of Christian Solidarity International; and Dana Lyons Wilkins, a campaigner from Global Witness. Eight members of Congress attended the briefing, along with a full audience of civil society members.

Much of the hearing focused on the recent violence in Abyei and South Kordofan. In his opening statement, Congressman Chris Smith, Chair of the subcommittee, referred to the 100,000 people displaced from Abyei as a form of “ethnic cleansing” and expressed the urgent need to resolve these conflicts.

Ambassador Lyman recapped the extensive effort the US is putting into negotiations between north and south leading up to independence, particularly about Abyei and South Kordofan. He explained that “we will continue to intensify our diplomatic efforts in support of the negotiations in these final weeks before the South gains its independence”.

Former US Special Representative Winter, who worked on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, asserted that the Government of Sudan was unlikely to adhere to any agreements, existing or future. He said that the time for talking has run out, and it is now time for action. He recommended “that the U.S. take a military action against a Khartoum military target now as a warning that the SAF violence against civilians must stop”.

Other discussion points included promoting transparency in the management of South Sudan’s oil industry, ending the enslavement of South Sudanese in the north, and giving church groups and civil society a voice in the government of South Sudan.

The universal sentiment at the end of the hearing was that progress must be made to achieve lasting peace in Sudan, though whether the US response will rely on talk or action remains to be seen.

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Protecting Civilians in Libya Furthers U.S. National Interests

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Congress Fails to Connect Protection of Civilians in Libya to National Interests

Women in Benghazi react to UN Security Council decision to protect civilians in Libya (photo credit: The Telegraph)

The topic of intervention in Libya has been a recent subject of debate for Congress. Just last week, the House of Representatives passed a resolution, H.Res.292, that requested a comprehensive report from President Barack Obama on the United States involvement in the ongoing military intervention in Libya. H.Res.292 was introduced by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and passed in a 268-145 vote. Most unfortunately, the resolution implied that the protection of civilians in Libya is not in the U.S. national interest.

This assertion is as troubling as it is misguided. With the Senate Foreign Relations Committee set to consider a virtually identical resolution next week, it seems useful to reiterate the national interest implications of intervening to protect civilians from atrocities.

Preventing Mass Atrocities Advances National Interests

Secretaries William Cohen and Madeleine Albright (photo credit: American Academy of Diplomacy)

In December 2008, the highly-praised, bipartisan Genocide Prevention Task Force–convened by former Secretary of Defense William Cohen and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright–issued a report that found:

Genocide and mass atrocities also threaten core U.S. national interests.

They feed on and fuel other threats in weak and corrupt states, with dangerous spillover effects that know no boundaries. If the United States does not engage early in preventing these crimes, we inevitably bear greater costs—in feeding millions of refugees and trying to manage long-lasting regional crises.

In addition, U.S. credibility and leadership are compromised when we fail to work with international partners to prevent genocide and mass atrocities.

The Senate agreed. Last year, a unanimously passed resolution stated clearly that:

…it is in the national interest and aligned with the values of the United States to work vigorously with international partners to prevent and mitigate future genocides and mass atrocities.

It’s unfortunate that some members of the Senate seem to have so quickly forgotten a piece of legislation the entire chamber supported less than six months ago.

The Argument for Advancing National Interests by Protecting Civilians in Libya

Obama Gives Speech on Libya (photo credit: Politico)

It’s not in just a general sense that preventing and responding to mass atrocities advances U.S. national interests. Specifically intervening to protect civilians in Libya advances core interests. In a speech given on March28, President Obama detailed the necessity of the intervention effort in describing the reasoning behind U.S involvement:

Gaddafi declared that he would show “no mercy” to his own people. He compared them to rats, and threatened to go door to door to inflict punishment. In the past, we had seen him hang civilians in the streets, and kill over a thousand people in a single day. Now, we saw regime forces on the outskirts of the city. We knew that if we waited one more day, Benghazi – a city nearly the size of Charlotte – could suffer a massacre that would have reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the world.

It was not in our national interest to let that happen. I refused to let that happen. And so nine days ago, after consulting the bipartisan leadership of Congress, I authorized military action to stop the killing and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973.

History has demonstrated the disastrous impact that genocide and mass atrocities can have in destabilizing a country, undermining global security and creating an environment where terrorism can flourish. Further, the consequences in terms of loss of life and livelihoods are absolutely devastating.

Senator John Kerry

In the case of Libya, intervention has served to avert atrocities, advance prospects for long-term regional stability and decrease the likelihood that disaffected populations will turn to militant extremism. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry (D-MA) said in a statement issued back in March:

First, we do have strategic interests at stake in Libya. What we do as part of this international coalition reverberates throughout North Africa and the Middle East, a region where extremism has thrived and attacks against Western interests have been incubated.

By supporting the Libyan opposition, we give them a fighting chance to oust a dictator with a history of terrorism and the blood of Americans on his hands. At the same time, we keep alive the hopes of reformers across the Arab world. We also counter the violent extremism of Al Qaeda and like-minded groups. And we encourage a new generation of Arabs to pursue dignity and democracy and we create the opportunity for a new relationship with the people of the greater Middle East.

These are worthy goals and by accomplishing them we advance our values and protect our interests.

However, the work is not yet complete. By denying the connection between the prevention of mass atrocities and national security, current Congressional initiatives serve to undermine critical interests. With civilian protection as the continued objective, the U.S. and international community must maintain the effort. The future relationship between the United States and Libya depends on support for the people. Any attempt by the U.S. to turn its back on the protection of civilians will have negative moral and strategic implications down the road.

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United Nations Peacekeeping: Sharing Risks and Expenses to Advance Global Security

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

On Sunday, the world celebrated International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. As we previously blogged, United Nations peacekeeping missions are critical to global peace and security. Since UN missions come with shared risks and expenses, they also represent an investment in cost-saving and risk reduction for the United States. Despite the benefits, there are still members of Congress working to prevent the U.S. from paying its dues to the UN. Learn more below and take action to support UN peacekeeping.

UNMIS Troops Prepare to Patrol Town of Abyei, in Sudan (UN Photo/Stuart Price)

Shared Risks

More than half of the countries in the world share the risks associated with UN peacekeeping missions. Personnel for missions come from 115 different countries. As of April 2011, the top five troop contributing countries (TCCs) were Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Egypt. The top ten TCCs make up almost 60% of all UN peacekeepers. In comparison the United States ranks number 61 with 110 personnel deployed (0.1%). U.S. personnel primarily serve in police and expert roles, even further limiting risks. The U.S. only has contingent troops in Haiti (13) and Lebanon (5).

Shared Expenses

For 2011-2012, the United States has agreed to pay 27.14% of UN peacekeeping missions. In considering this percentage, it’s important to keep in mind how much the U.S. would be spending if it were to conduct similar missions on its own. Additionally, it should be noted that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is responsible for authorizing all UN peacekeeping missions. Since the U.S. has veto power on the UNSC, a peacekeeping mission can only be approved with support from the United States.

In 2006, a nonpartisan report from the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) compared the cost of U.S. contributions to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to the cost of a hypothetical deployment of U.S. forces. The GAO report found that the cost of the entire UN mission for its first fourteen months was nearly half as expensive as a comparable U.S. mission would have been. Further–because the costs of MINUSTAH are shared by various countries–the UN mission was estimated to cost the U.S. more than 13 times less.

Challenges: Congress and Funding for UN Peacekeeping

The U.S. pays our share of UN peacekeeping through the Contributions to Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) account of the federal budget. Despite the fact that United Nations peacekeeping is a critical investment in global peace and security, there are hurdles that handicap the ability of the U.S. to pay our agreed upon contribution.

House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) speaks at a April 2011 hearing on the UN where she suggests the U.S. should withhold funding. (HFAC Photo)

Peacekeeping Cap

Congress has legislated a peacekeeping cap at 25%, which currently amounts to a funding gap of 2.14%. Until there is a permanent repeal, Congress must take action each appropriations cycle to temporarily lift the cap. In years past, Congress had failed to take this step which resulted in millions of dollars in arrears. Since the United Nations cannot borrow money, it meant that TCCs (that had put the lives of their military and police personnel on the line) weren’t able to pay salaries. Fortunately the United States took action in 2009 to pay off the accumulated arrears, but the peacekeeping cap still exists.

Current Fiscal Climate

Given the current fiscal climate, there will be difficulty in ensuring that the peacekeeping cap is waived this year so that the U.S. can pay our full obligation. Further, the President’s budget request for the 2012 fiscal year (which was made in February of 2011) is $225 million less than will be needed to pay the U.S. contribution assessed at $2.145 billion. As Congress looks to make severe cuts to the entire international affairs account (which includes CIPA funding), we will need your help to ensure that the U.S. meets its obligation and provides full financial support for the UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Darfur, Congo and elsewhere around the world.

Take Action to Support UN Peacekeeping

  • Need some inspiration? Watch this video from our friends at the Better World Campaign featuring George Clooney.
  • Write a brief note to your representative. You can connect with your representative here. Simply enter your zip code and then click on the envelop icon. Ask your representative to support $2.14 billion in funding for United Nations Peacekeeping missions that further global peace and security.
  • Send a thank you letter to those serving as UN peacekeepers.

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Congress Responds to Violence in Abyei

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

In response to the military offensive and takeover of Abyei town by the Government of Sudan several Members of Congress have spoken out publicly. We will continue to update this blog post as we become aware of additional statements.

Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Senator John Kerry

“The cumulative impact of this series of events threatens the lives of those on the ground, the peaceful separation between North and South, and any of Khartoum’s hopes for a new relationship with the United States. This is a moment both sides will long regret if they allow events to spiral out of control. They’ve made real progress, and the successful referendum was a powerful advance towards a more peaceful future. They must not go backwards now.”

Read Senator Kerry’s full statement here.

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa

Senator Chris Coons

“The recent attack and subsequent violence in Abyei represents an alarming breach of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and poses serious consequences for the proposed normalization of relations between the United States and Sudan. The offensive has caused the massive displacement of civilians and raises deeply troubling concerns regarding the intentions of senior government officials in Khartoum in advance of the South’s independence in July.

I condemn the attack by Southern forces on the combined United Nations-Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) convoy on May 19 and join the White House and Chairman Kerry in calling for the cessation of all offensive operations in Abyei and the withdrawal of SAF forces from the region. The Abyei administration must be immediately reestablished, and peaceful talks regarding its future status should resume without delay.

This is a critical moment and test of leadership for Sudan, which has made great strides toward preparing for independence of the South.  I urge both sides to negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflict that will avert a further escalation of violence and pave the way for a political settlement on the future status of Abyei.”

Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Senator Roger Wicker

“The images and news of voters deciding their own path forward was inspiring for me and for others who have long sought democracy and justice, but the current situation is a threat to any hope for lasting peace between the North and the South.   I join the White House and my colleagues in Congress in calling for the immediate cessation of all offensive operations in Abyei and the withdrawal of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from the area.  This is a critical moment for Sudan.  I urge both sides to step back from this dangerous cliff and move toward a peaceful resolution to this conflict.”

Read Senator Wicker’s full statement here.

Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
House Minority Whip

Congressman Steny Hoyer

“In January, the people of Southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly to form a new nation. That critical vote offered the people of Southern Sudan an opportunity for a better future, and a chance to put to rest the legacy of Africa’s bloodiest civil war. Unfortunately, Khartoum’s current actions are putting that possibility at risk. Their disproportionate and violent offensive in the disputed Abyei region threatens a wider breakdown of peace and a return to armed conflict between North and South, which is deeply concerning to those of us who have long advocated for peace and security across the whole of Sudan. The Obama administration has rightly condemned this offensive, and I join it in urging the Khartoum government to abide by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and resolve the future of the Abyei region through negotiation only. Khartoum must understand that normalization with the U.S. hinges on its ending violence, human rights abuses, and targeting of civilians.”

Read Congressman Hoyer’s full statement here.

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‘Never Forget’ doesn’t mean ‘Never Again’

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

This article has been cross-posted from the Atlanta Jewish Times, originally published on 5/17/11. It was written by 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow and current Chair of the Georgia Coalition to Prevent Genocide, Melanie Nelkin.

Mark Hanis, Melanie Nelkin and Claude Gatebuke at Temple Sinai's Rock Shabbat in Atlanta, GA

The Georgia Coalition to Prevent Genocide (GC2PG.org) was honored last week during Holocaust Remembrance Week to host Mark Hanis and Claude Gatebuke here in Atlanta.
Mark is founder and president of the Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition (GINET/SDC).  Claude, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, is now a Carl Wilkens Fellow and a leader in the anti-genocide movement.

In moving public appearances at Ahavath Achim, Temple Sinai and personal gatherings with community leaders, Mark and Claude passionately conveyed that “Never Forget” and “Never Again” are more than popular slogans tied to the Holocaust. During Holocaust Remembrance Week – and every week – it is our duty to reflect and remember the horrors of the Holocaust, to celebrate the courage and strength of survivors and to rededicate ourselves to creating a future free from mass atrocities and genocide.

We embrace the Holocaust survivors who have made Atlanta their home and have shared their stories with us, so that we will “Never Forget.”  Some have leveraged their power as survivors to advocate for others in harm’s way.

They are joined by a growing community of those displaced as a result of contemporary atrocities.

Seventy years ago the world said “Never Again.”  Sadly, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur prove that preventing genocide requires more than just a pledge of good intentions.  There has always been a moral imperative tied to remembering the Holocaust but “Never Again” requires sustained political will to end future genocides. Taking action is the moral imperative behind “Never Again.”

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